Dr. Anumiri Chidozie Pascal, a Nigerian medical doctor and founder of Pandacare, a healthcare delivery platform, has vowed not to join his colleagues leaving Nigeria for greener pastures despite the country's struggling healthcare system.
Speaking during a programme on Max FM Abuja, Dr. Chidozie said statistics reveal that over 50 doctors leave Nigeria every week, which he noted has had a devastating effect on the healthcare sector.
"I've seen hospitals where they now make use of nurses to sit in for doctors, that's how bad. In hospitals, patients have to wait so long before they can see a doctor, because the patient load is now overwhelming, and patients also have to seek multiple healthcare facilities before they get quality care. That is how bad it is.," he said.
Dr. Chidozie also lamented the poor state of emergency medical services in Nigeria.
"Honestly, the healthcare system needs help. The Nigerian healthcare system is crying for help, and that is how the situation the healthcare system has gone up to, especially the emergency services
"It is very poor. When you're talking about emergency services in Nigeria, it's no longer an emergency, because when it takes more than 30 minutes to get the help you need, it's no longer an emergency."
Sharing a personal experience of losing a loved one due to the poor state of healthcare, the doctor emphasized that his commitment to Nigeria stems from a desire to make a difference.
As part of his efforts to contribute to the sector, Dr. Chidozie founded Pandacare, a digital healthcare platform that provides emergency ambulance services and on-demand medical care.
"Pandacare is a digital healthcare platform that provides emergency ambulance services for clients at any point and anywhere," he explained.
"When you think about pandacare, you think about the Bolt for healthcare. Just as easy as you could book a ride, you could gain access to healthcare services. That is what pandacare is all about. We want to make it easy for you to gain access to healthcare services just by clicking a button on your phone."
On affordability, the doctor said:
"Pandacare services are affordable. We are making room for subscription plans for our clients. By virtue of subscribing to our services, at any point in time you need the service, you could gain it."
He added that doctors on pandacare will
"go through orientation training to make sure these ones are fit to provide the services when due."
"We have a vetting team to go through their certificates, their recent license. Not just anyone. Recent valid license, not just for doctors only."
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