Abuja — The National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA) yesterday signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Galaxy Backbone, an ICT firm, for ICT connectivity for the effective implementation and monitoring of Midwives Service Scheme (MSS).

The MOU, when fully implemented, will address the challenge of effective communication, which has contributed in no small measure to the level of development and success recorded in the implementation of health care nationwide.

Speaking at the official signing of the MOU, the Executive Director, NPHCDA, Dr. Muhammad Ali Pate, said, "The agency has identified ICT connectivity as a potential strategy that will enhance the effective implementation and management of the scheme and indeed primary health care in general.

"It is our belief that the new drive will assist to address some of the challenges faced over the years by health/programme managers on how best to ensure effective communication between the centre, states, LGAs, health facilities, health care providers and, indeed, the communities.

In the agreement, according to Pate, Galaxy Backbone Plc will provide ICT connectivity covering Internet, data, voice and video facilities to our national headquarters, our six zonal offices, the strategic central store, 40 selected model MSS clusters and 160 primary health care facilities linked to 40 general hospitals where the MSS is being implemented in the 36 states and FCT.

"The facilities will be used for provision of real time information and data transmission, point of care support and algorithm for safe motherhood, as well as on job training of health care providers, supervision and referral.

"We see the current initiatives not only facilitating the reduction in maternal and child mortality in the country, but also providing the needed impetus for rapid transformation of the entire health sector", he added.

Responding, the Managing Director of the firm, Gerald Ilukwe, said the agreement would enable the agency record progressive achievement in delivering quality health care service to the nation.

Meanwhile, the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) said it has spent about N1.2 billion in the second year of the implementation of the NHIS/Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) maternal and child health project.

The Executive Secretary of NHIS, Dr. Waziri Dogo-Muhammad, dropped the hint at a crucial technical review meeting with Health Maintenance Organisations (HMOs).