UCH inaugurates N250m digital classrooms

The University College Hospital ((UCH) has inaugurated a N250 million digital classrooms in its drive to meet with technological trends.

The project facilitated by the Chairman House of Representatives Committee on Communications, Saheed Fijabi, included the setting up of 50 touch screen computers and other modern technological facilities aimed at training health practitioners.

Speaking at the inauguration of the project, the Chief Medical Director of UCH, Prof. Temitope Alonge, explained that it would afford the hospital the opportunity to beam conferences live to 51 African countries.

He said, “UCH has migrated from analogue to technological age, we have come to witness an advanced technology which has become a reference point. UCH was recognized by the Indian government about seven years ago, we were named the hospital of choice to be the reference point for telemedicine.”

Alonge explained that the digital classrooms would allow the training of nurses, doctors and everyone in the health sector within the hospital.

He said: “We can do what is called teleconferencing, while an operation is going on in the main theatre, you can sit back and watch the procedure life and also listen to the surgeon. But beyond providing that service, we have 50 brand new computers worth N250 million and National Communications Commission (NCC) orchestrated e- mail addresses.”

The professor of medicine added: “The digital classroom is linked to other institutions, lectures can take place and health practitioners can also ask questions. They can handle any procedure simultaneously and give lectures on both sides. The classrooms have afforded us an opportunity to teach without necessarily crowding. If there is a particular topic we don’t have an expert here, we can contact Maiduguri for instance, he teaches from there while we listen here.”

In his remarks, Fijabi representing Ibadan South West /North West federal constituency said the project was a little way of contributing to the development of UCH.

Fijabi who restated his commitment to make life comfortable to the citizenry said politics is service to humanity.