Korede Abdullah in Lagos
In a bold move to boost healthcare delivery in flood-prone and disaster-affected communities, the Delta State Government has unveiled a digital health solution, Helium Doc A1.
The launch took place on Thursday in Asaba, drawing key stakeholders and partners together to chart a new path for climate-resilient health services.
“Our frontline health institutions are increasingly stretched. Our most vulnerable—pregnant women, the elderly, children, and those with chronic illnesses—face heightened risks when natural disasters disrupt services,” said the State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Joseph Onojaeme, represented by the Permanent Secretary, Dr. Philomina Okeowo.
Developed in partnership with Helium Health and funded by the Global System for Mobile Communication Association (GSMA), Helium Doc A1 is equipped with USSD-based access, real-time health alerts, and telemedicine tools to ensure continuity of care even when floods damage critical infrastructure.
“The initiative empowers health professionals to deliver services during crises and equips communities with knowledge and access—two of the most powerful weapons in public health response,” Dr. Okeowo added.
Dr. Peter Ameh of Helium Health highlighted the platform’s role in bridging critical gaps during emergencies, saying, “Helium Doc A1 connects healthcare providers to communities in flood-affected areas, even when doctors are not physically available.”
Echoing this optimism, WHO State Coordinator Dr. Moisule Hussaini Ganga described the initiative as a “game-changer” for health emergency response: “This innovation brings real-time data analytics, AI-assisted triage, and telehealth capabilities into our emergency response framework.”
