By Desmond Ejibas
Port Harcourt – Renaissance Africa Energy Company Limited and its Joint Venture partners (JV), have inaugurated a multi-million-naira, state-of-the-art Electronic Medical Records (EMR) system at Obio Cottage Hospital in Port Harcourt.
The EMR system is a digital version of a patient’s paper chart, designed to assist healthcare providers, in storing, managing, and accessing patient health information.
Mr Igo Weli, General Manager, Relations and Sustainable Development at Renaissance Energy, who did not disclose the exactly cost of the project, inaugurated the facility in Port Harcourt on Thursday.
Weli explained that the Obio Cottage Hospital, funded by Renaissance Energy JV, specialised in maternal, child, and primary healthcare services, and general medical care.
He said that the decision to digitise the hospital’s operations formed part of a broader strategy to enhance healthcare delivery, patient care, and data management in Rivers.
“Obio Cottage Hospital has become a beacon of hope for thousands of families, providing affordable and accessible healthcare to residents.
“Over the years, there has been a growing demand for quality health services, increasing the urgency for innovation and efficiency in patient management,” he said.
Weli noted that healthcare delivery was rapidly evolving globally, necessitating the introduction of digital solutions to improve outcomes in Nigeria.
He remarked that for years, medical records had been manually documented, and presented significant challenges despite its merits,
The challenges, he noted, included difficulty in retrieving of patient history, the risk of misplaced records, delayed decision-making due to the absence of real-time data.
Others are included increased administrative burden on healthcare staff, and prolonged patient waiting times.
“With the implementation of the EMR system, we are boldly entering a new era of healthcare efficiency and patient-centred service delivery.
“This system will eliminate the traditional reliance on paper and folders, enable seamless documentation and retrieval of patient records, and significantly reduce waiting time.
“It will also enhance staff efficiency, reinforce data security and confidentiality, improve evidence-based decision-making, and create additional space, replacing bulky paper folders,” he added.
Weli reaffirmed the commitment of the Renaissance Energy JV to delivering efficient, timely, and high-quality healthcare services to the people of Rivers and Nigeria at large.
He noted that Obio Cottage hospital, established in 2010 under the Obio Community Health Insurance Scheme, had evolved into one of the most robust and enduring community-based health insurance models in Nigeria.
According to him, it has become both a national and international benchmark, demonstrating what is achievable when communities, government, and the private sector collaborate in pursuit of sustainable healthcare financing.
Also speaking, Dr Vincent Nwachukwu, Permanent Secretary at the Rivers State Ministry of Health, reiterated the state government’s commitment to quality healthcare delivery.
He highlighted efforts being made to bridge existing gaps within the sector.
Nwachukwu commended Renaissance Energy JV for its sustained investments in healthcare and urged other corporate bodies to emulate the company’s contributions to public health in the state.
“Transitioning from paper-based to digital-based operations is no small feat and speaks volumes of Renaissance Energy’s deep commitment to the welfare of Nigerians,” he stated.
Mr Olatokunbo Various, Assistant Director, Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC), described Obio Cottage Hospital as a ‘’lasting legacy that has made affordable healthcare accessible to thousands across Nigeria.’’
He noted that the NUPRC had adopted and recommended the hospital’s community-based insurance model as a standard for healthcare system management in the country.
Various expressed appreciation to Renaissance Energy for establishing a world-class healthcare facility at the heart of its host communities.
In his remark, the Paramount Ruler of Rumuobiokani Clan, Eze Ejims Wopara, expressed delight at the company’s sustained interventions in the Rumuobiokani community.
He noted that the hospital had played a vital role in sustaining and advancing the health and well-being of thousands of people across Nigeria through the provision of maternal and child healthcare. (NAN)
