TheCable

The Anambra state government says it has commenced the installation of clock-in devices in public health facilities to curb absenteeism by health workers.

Afam Obidike, the commissioner for health, made the announcement in Awka during a meeting with administrators of public hospitals in the state.

He said during some of his unannounced visits to hospitals, many health workers were absent while some health facilities did not open for services.

Obidike added that absenteeism has contributed to mortalities recorded in the state and hindered progress in the health sector.

“The installation of the clock-in device in all government hospitals is to ensure that healthcare workers are at their duty posts to attend to the health needs of the people,” NAN quoted him as saying.

“The device will also be used to monitor the hours health workers put in each day and that will subsequently determine their monthly salaries and allowances.

“The goal is to eliminate maternal and infant mortalities, as well as restore the confidence of our people in the healthcare services we provide in the state.”

The commissioner also said the government is working on digitalising healthcare services through telemedicine, as well as strengthening the referral system among the hospitals in the state.

“We are establishing the ‘Hub and Spoke’ approach for proper networking among the hospitals. Telemedicine will also allow primary healthcare centres to have access to different doctors,” he said.

“We are strengthening at least one general hospital in each local government area so that primary health centres can refer patients when the need arises.

“The state government is doing all it can with limited resources and as healthcare providers, we cannot afford to fail.”