-Conducts free eye screening
In commemoration of its 10th year anniversary, Me Cure Healthcare Limited, a leading healthcare industry in Nigeria has launched a mobile application called ‘SMART BUY’, an e-commerce platform, designed for easy access of healthcare needs from any parts of the country.
Also for the anniversary celebration, the healthcare organisation conducted a free Glaucoma screening for about 10,000 Nigerians, from 1 February to May, 2019.
Me Cure Healthcare Limited, Nigeria, an organisation with over 400 employees, was established in 2009 as a diagnostic company and later expanded its services into eye care, dental care, cancer management, pharmaceuticals and preventive healthcare.
Speaking with newsmen at a press briefing organised to mark the 10th anniversary, Dr Adegboyega Alabi, a consultant ophthalmologist and chief operating officer, Me Cure Eye Centre, said the screening exercise was aimed at celebrating the company’s milestone in Nigeria, as well as promoting good eye health, while promoting reduction of the burden of avoidable blindness, through early detection of common eye conditions that result in the blindness.
The ophthalmologist noted that despite growing awareness on Glaucoma, many people do not have their eyes checked regularly, adding that Glaucoma is a disease that affects the optic nerve in the eye.
On the new product launched into the Nigerian healthcare space, the Chief Technology Officer, Adil Shaiku said the company introduced ‘Me Cure Smart Buy’, an e-Commerce Platform, which is a form of telemedicine, where Nigerians can communicate with pharmacists and doctors at no cost through their phones, at their convenience and get healthcare services at affordable prices.
According to him, the product was launched in order to make healthcare services convenient and affordable to Nigerians. “We are providing access to a qualified panel of doctors completely free. To enjoy this benefit, download the App on your phone and then, you can book appointment with our doctors, while they can give you a call to know your ailment and prescribe medication and diagnostic test if required,” Shaiku added.
Speaking on the milestone, the Chief Medical Officer and Consultant Pathologist, Me Cure Diagnostics Centre, Dr Obiefuna Ajie said the diagnostic arm of the health facility, was borne out of the need to bridge the challenges patients’ face in carrying out investigations and examinations, adding that it has helped many Nigerians access proper treatment and reduce avoidable deaths.
Ajie also spoke on the pharmaceutical arm of the facility, saying it was to ensure that primary healthcare was achieved in the country, which the centre has achieved through the provision of quality, affordable and accessible medicines.
The Chief Operating Officer, Me Cure Healthcare Limited, Oshodi Diagnostic Centre, Mr Jide Fadirepo (Rtd), said lack of state-of-the-art equipment for treatment has limited the positive outcome of patients in Nigeria, noting that government should partner with the private health facilities to provide an enabling environment for improved healthcare delivery, by ensuring reduced tariffs in the importation of lifesaving equipment and consumables, as well as eliminating the long and worrisome process of clearing the commodities from the ports.
Fadirepo, who is also a medical diagnostic radiographer, urged the government to enter into an agreement with healthcare institutions in the country, stating that while it performs the role of providing infrastructure and subsidizing basic amenities such as power, water among others, the health institutions would in turn provide healthcare services at free or cheaper cost, according to the government’s directives.
