NITDA Backs Review of Policy On Universal Software for eHealth

Dr. Isa Ali Ibrahim (Pantami), director general, National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) has described the use of universal software for electronic health records in health facilities and training schools in Nigeria as time and cost saving measure.

He made the remark while receiving in his office a delegation of Health Records Officers Registration Board of Nigeria (HRORBN) led by the Chief Executive Officer.

Dr. Pantami ensured them of his full collaboration and promised to review the document and identify possible areas of collaboration.

He also encouraged the MDAs to patronise our local content products and challenge the producer in given a more qualitative product.

On NITDA’s regulatory role, Pantami stated that, it is an offence for any MDA to deploy IT products in the nation without a clearance from NITDA. However, he appreciated the effort of the HRORBN who perceive it necessary to come through NITDA before development of the software.

Alhaji Muhammad Ibrahim Mami, chief executive officer of HRORBN, said that they are at NITDA to solicit support in accelerating the speed in regards to the development of universal software for electronic health records in health facilities and training schools in Nigeria.

While appealing to NITDA to accelerate the process, Mami said, “We pray you accord immediate attention to the creation of universal software that will facilitate our speedy functioning, in smooth and efficient health records management within health facilities and training schools across the nation.”.

He also stated that he can see the greater difference that an Electronic Health Records Management can make to health records management practice in the country vis-à-vis the change mantra of the Mr. President of this great Republic of ours. Beyond these, I can also clearly see how high the support you give us will stand our professional practice within the context of the West Africa Sub-Region.

Mami further stated that the collaboration between these two agencies, if achieved can bring about the much awaited and desired change in the transition from manual card giving to Electronic Health Records (EHR).

The EHR, is a longitudinal electronic records of patient health information generated by one or more encounters in any care delivery setting, which includes the patients demographics, progress note, problems, medications, vital sign, medical history, immunizations, laboratory data and radiology reports.

He added that it would be of interest to note that this initiative is to facilitate the high professional expectations against the back drop of MR Presidents change agenda in the health industry.