Galaxy Backbone Commits to Improve Maternal & Child Health, Signs MOU with National Primary Healthcare Development Agency

Galaxy Backbone has expressed its commitment to support Federal Government efforts to reverse the ugly trend in high maternal and infant deaths under the midwives service scheme of the National Primary Healthcare Development Agency (NPHCDA).

The Managing Director of Galaxy Backbone, Mr. Gerald Ilukwe made the assertion in Abuja on Wednesday at the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between Galaxy Backbone Plc and the NPHCDA.

According to Ilukwe, under the terms of the MOU, Galaxy will provide Internet connectivity, Data, VIOP, VPN and Video Conferencing solution to improve our health care delivery system through live training via video conferencing to midwives in 40 concurrent locations.

He stated that his company will also deploy Movable Community Communication Centre (Portacabin) fully equipped for training and ready to be moved anywhere. “This can also be used to support the slightest report of any disease outbreak, for training in underserved areas and also for other services as may be deemed necessary”. Also, the network is designed to provide NPHCDA with its own VPN thereby enabling modernization and automation of its operations for ease of file sharing and effective means of emailing with the head office.

Speaking further, Ilukwe said that the ICT solution will automatically reduce time and dependence on hard copies for communication between the NPHCDA head office in Abuja and its six zonal offices, the strategic Central Store, 40 selected model MSS clusters and 160 primary healthcare facilities linked to 40 General Hospitals where the midwives scheme is being implemented in the 36 states and FCT which will result in more efficiency since trainings will be done at each midwives location rather than travelling to the head office and  cost savings in terms of amount of money spent on voice calls through the provision of voice over internet protocol (VOIP). There is also availability of content before or after training sessions for the midwives and others who should benefit from the content for safe motherhood.

In his speech, the Executive Director of NPHCDA, Dr. Mohammed Pate stated that effective communication has contributed greatly in the level of development and successes recorded in the implementation of healthcare services nationwide. Pate noted that “ICT connectivity is today recognized as a potential strategy that will enhance the effective implementation and management of the Midwives Services Scheme (MSS) and primary healthcare in general”.

Continuing, the Executive Director said that there are many success stories of ICT application in healthcare delivery in different countries in and outside Africa. According to him, “it is gratifying to note that after extensive exploration of potential partners, the Agency discovered Galaxy Backbone Plc and found it worthy to facilitate ICT led health development in Nigeria. It is our belief that the new drive will assist to address some of the challenges faced over the years by healthcare providers/programme managers on how best to ensure effective communication between the Centre, States, LGAs, health facilities, healthcare providers and indeed, the communities”.

He commended the passion and level of commitment of the sister organizations to collaborate on the MDG-DRG funded Midwives Service Scheme (MSS). Pate said that the initiative will not only facilitate enormous reductions in maternal and child mortality but also will provide the impetus for the rapid transformation of the entire health sector. 

He expressed the Agency’s appreciation to the Honourable Minister of Health, Prof. Osotimehin and the Senior Special Assistant to the President on MDGs, Hajia Aisha Amina for the support and commitment to the successful implementation of the scheme.