EKO TELEMED: Lagos Launches Emergency Line For Non-COVID-19 Consultation

EKO TELEMED: Lagos Launches Emergency Line For Non-COVID-19 Consultation

Following the rise of confirmed cases of coronavirus in Lagos State, the Lagos State Health Management Agency (LASHMA) on Tuesday launched the ‘EKO TELEMED’, a Telemedicine initiative to cater for Health issues not related to COVID-19 during the pandemic.

The Lagos State Government says residents will now have access to highly-trained and experienced medical doctors for non-emergency and primary care consultation via voice or video call from the comfort of their homes.

This service takes effect from Wednesday, April 22, 2020.

The announcement was made on Tuesday by the General Manager, Lagos State Health Management Agency (LASHMA), Dr. Emmanuella Zamba during the launch of the emergency line which is called ‘EKO TELEMED’.

She noted that this is part of efforts aimed at protecting the citizens and reducing their risk of contracting the Coronavirus disease.

Dr. Zamba, therefore, asked residents who develop any non-COVID-19 health issues during the lockdown period to dial 08000EKOMED (08000356633) toll-free line for consultation.

“The toll-free line would enable residents to have direct access to non-emergency primary care via voice or video call and speak with trained medical doctors in any of the four major languages in Lagos State – English Language, Yoruba, Hausa, and Igbo.

“The project would increase access to care, reduce the challenge of going to hospitals during this period of restricted movements, except for emergencies.

“It would also create an entry point for the quicker evacuation of confirmed and severely ill COVID-19 cases to the designated treatment facility.

“This is aimed at ensuring better health outcomes for affected citizens, thereby reducing morbidity and mortality associated with the pandemic,” she explained.

The General Manager added that doctors and case managers would be available 24/7 on ‘EKO TELEMED’ to provide medical services to the residents of Lagos State for a period of eight weeks as the state continues to roll out its strategies for containing the COVID-19 pandemic.

If further medical treatment is needed after due consultation with the medical doctors, non-coronavirus cases would be referred to designated Healthcare Providers under the Lagos State Health Scheme (LSHS) or preferred Healthcare Providers.

Patients with high COVID-19 suspicion will be directed to designated testing sites and isolation centres in Lagos State through the hotline 08000CORONA.

The ‘EKO TELEMED’ was designed by the Lagos State Health Management Agency (LASHMA) as part of its COVID-19 response.