By Prince Osuagwu

Apparently trying to address some of the challenges facing the nation in healthcare, one of the world’s largest semiconductor companies, Intel Corporation, has flagged off an electronic health, eHealth, programme in the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Abuja.

The company said the effort was to strengthen its corporate social responsibility efforts. It was actually made possible after a working visit by its Chairman, Mr. Craig Barrett in 2007.

However, in early 2009, the Nigerian Federal Capital Territory Millennium Development Goals Unit (FCTMDGU), health officials, and Intel Corporation began discussing ways that Information and Communication Technology (ICT), could be used to improve health and healthcare delivery in rural areas. According to the Business Development Manager, Intel Nigeria, Mr. David Ibhawoh, the company observed after the visit that a large percentage of the people in the country do not have access to health and also where there were any they lacked the specialist, especially dermatologists.

So, Intel, decided to take healthcare to the communities through mobile health, mHealth, and telemedicine, which eventually, gave birth to the Mailafiya Health Programme.

He said there were consultations with the chiefs so as to allay their fears and design an intervention programme that is most suitable for them.