The Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University Teaching Hospital (COOUTH), Amaku, Awka, is introducing digital systems to streamline patient services, improve access to medical records and strengthen accountability in drug inventory and revenue management.
The initiative, championed by the Chief Medical Director, Dr. Maureen Uche Umeakuewulu, includes an electronic patient card (E-Card), digital access to medical records and a wallet system that enables patients and their relatives to deposit funds for hospital bills, medications and other medical expenses.
The E-Card system is designed to make patients’ information more accessible to authorised healthcare personnel, reduce dependence on paper-based medical folders and minimise administrative delays, thereby supporting continuity of care.
The digital wallet also provides a convenient payment arrangement, allowing patients and their relations to deposit money and draw on the funds when paying for medical services and drugs.
In addition to improving patient convenience, the digital transformation is strengthening inventory control and financial accountability.
Hospital products, including drugs, are recorded in the system, with quantities tracked and deducted as items are dispensed or sold.
The arrangement is expected to improve stock monitoring, enhance transparency and help curb pilferage and revenue leakages.
The reforms form part of the COOUTH management’s efforts to modernise hospital administration and make healthcare services more efficient, accessible and accountable.
According to the COOUTH the initiative reflects the hospital’s commitment to deploying technology to improve service delivery, protect institutional resources and place patients at the centre of its operations.
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