By Ifeizu Joe
A non-governmental organisation, The Richard and Caroline Nwafor Foundation, has donated a telemedicine research centre to Nanka Community in Orumba North Local Government Area of Anambra State.
The centre seeks to boost healthcare among rural dwellers, and also give patients opportunity to access healthcare from top professionals from outside the country, through technology.
The centre was donated by Prof. Tochukwu Nwafor, a prominent son of the community, in memory of his parents, Chief and Mrs Richard and Caroline Nwafor.
Prof Tochukwu Nwafor, a professor of internal medicine, based in the United States,b single handedly constructed the centre said his aim was to bring affordable and genuine healthcare to his people.
He stated the three phases of the setting up of the centre to include construction of the physical structure, equipping it with state of the art equipment and seeking of approval of regulatory agencies for the facility .
He said what is special about the centre is that it will have a technology infrastructure that would enable Nanka community and surrounding areas to connect with other health professionals around the world through a team on ground in the hospital that would facilitate the process.
He said: “The center is established in loving memory of Prof. Nwafor’s late mother, Hon. Mrs. Caroline Nwafor, through The Richard and Caroline Nwafor Foundation.
The project is driven by a commitment to expand access to quality primary healthcare and advance medical research and innovation in rural communities.
“Beyond service delivery, the center is envisioned as a global center of excellence for rural health research, fostering collaboration among physicians, researchers, technology experts, academic institutions, and healthcare organizations worldwide.
“This initiative represents a major investment in the health and future of Nanka. It is designed to serve as a sustainable model for using technology to address healthcare disparities in underserved communities,” Prof Nwafor said.
He said the Nanka Health and Telemedicine Research Center will leverage cutting-edge telemedicine technology to connect volunteer physicians and healthcare professionals from around the world with patients in Nanka and neighboring communities.
Nwafor said the center seeks to honor the legacy of his patents by transforming lives and advancing healthcare in the community, Anambra and Nigeria.
