To bridge the healthcare gap among students, Lagos State Health Management Agency (LASHMA), in partnership with Healthconnect247, launched an initiative sponsored by Sir Chief Kessington Adebukunola Adebutu at the University of Lagos (UNILAG). The project offered free telemedicine services, benefiting over 37,000 students for 12 months. This effort ensured students could access timely healthcare without disrupting their academic commitments.
The Challenge:
University students often face numerous barriers to accessing timely and quality healthcare. At the University of Lagos (UNILAG), these challenges were no different. Many students struggled with balancing their academic responsibilities and finding time to visit healthcare facilities. The lack of easily accessible medical services led to students delaying or completely avoiding medical consultations, which in turn exacerbated minor health issues into more serious concerns.
The Solution:
To address this pressing issue, HealthConnect247 in partnership with LASHMA stepped in with an initiative designed to make healthcare more accessible for UNILAG students. The initiative included providing free telemedicine services through 24/7 toll-free lines, allowing students to seek medical advice at any time without worrying about costs. Additionally, HealthConnect247 set up three virtual booths, the three virtual booths were strategically placed at two key locations: the Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH) and UNILAG campus, ensuring that students had convenient access to in-person consultations whenever necessary. These booths provided a private and convenient space for students who needed immediate medical attention but preferred in-person interactions.
The Result:
The response from UNILAG students was overwhelmingly positive. The availability of 24/7 toll-free telemedicine services empowered students to seek medical consultations at their convenience, without the need to leave campus or disrupt their studies. The virtual booths further enhanced accessibility, offering a flexible option for those who required immediate in-person consultations. As a result, there was a noticeable increase in the number of students seeking medical advice, leading to early detection and treatment of health issues, also, the school health center were now able to handle more severe cases because the student’s access to telemedicine drastically reduced the primary and non-emergency cases they had to attend to. The initiative improved the overall health and well-being of the student body and demonstrated the effectiveness of telemedicine in addressing healthcare accessibility challenges in academic environments.
It was very convenient and fast as the school health center is always crowded. The lady there was always gracious. It’s sad that it was closed the last time I went there. – Francisca Dennis.
Speaking to the doctors, they went into details, I didn’t have to wait for long. – Zainab Ogundeko.
I enjoyed using it, the only difference was that I couldn’t see the doctor. – Alabi Bilikis.
It was easy access to speak to a doctor, if I had to use the school health center, one would have to go very early. It was very convenient. – Favour Izumesigo.
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