Lagos unveils digital healthcare platform to boost service delivery

Following the recent signing concession agreement to launch the Lagos State Health Information Platform (Lagos SHIP), Lagos State government and Interswitch Group have organised a stakeholders’ engagement forum to onboard stakeholders in the health sector on the concept of the Lagos SHIP, marking another milestone in the journey towards providing unrestricted healthcare access for Lagos State residents.

Lagos SHIP is a digital healthcare platform designed to boost healthcare services by leveraging Interswitch’s robust technology infrastructure. The platform aims to create a comprehensive health information system that bridges the gap between patients and healthcare providers, offering a seamless and efficient way to access a wide range of healthcare se8rvices.

Lagos residents will be able to book appointments, pay for consultations, access medical records, and purchase medications with ease using the platform.

In his keynote address, Lagos State Commissioner for Health, Prof. Akin Abayomi, emphasised the transformative potential of data-driven healthcare solutions, stating that the Lagos SHIP initiative will create enhanced experiences for all healthcare stakeholders and enable residents to access quality healthcare services.

Abayomi further stressed the importance of collaboration in healthcare, noting, “By embracing the Lagos SHIP, we can streamline healthcare operations, reduce administrative burdens, and make more informed decisions. These improvements translate into cost savings and better resource allocation, ultimately enhancing the quality of care and improving patient outcomes.

“We are living in a time of rapid transformation in healthcare, driven by advancements in technology and a shift towards more informed and involved patients. The Lagos SHIP initiative, a joint effort by the Lagos State Government and Interswitch Group, is designed to revolutionise healthcare services in the state by connecting patients to doctors, streamlining patient care through electronic medical records, and solving operational challenges,” the Commissioner added.

The Commissioner disclosed that stakeholders and partners in the Lagos SHIP include; Lagos State Government, eClatInterswitch, medical providers and practitioners in the private and public sector, health insurers and management organizations (HMOs), policy makers, economic planners for resource allocation, researchers, international community, digital service providers and innovators, residents of Lagos State and medical tourists or users from outside Lagos.

“The Lagos SHIP which sets sail with the earlier concession agreement signing and this stakeholders’ engagement is in line with Governor Sanwo-Olu’s commitment to access to quality, efficient and equitable healthcare delivery service in Lagos and Universal Healthcare Coverage.

“The Lagos SHIP allows us to imagine together into the future, the Speed of patient data migration and connectivity, data mining and trend analysis for policy and research, early warning systems and emergency management, training, virtual clinics, robotics and AI solutions, global hub of virtual connectivity, international collaborations, multiple opportunities for digital innovative solutions, cost efficiencies, regulation and clinical governance,” he said.

Earlier, Managing Director of Interswitche’Clat, Dr. Wallace Ogufere, stated that Interswitch, through its healthcare subsidiary Interswitche’Clat, is working with the Lagos State government to improve health outcomes in the state.

As a development partner and supporter of the government’s developmental agenda, Ogufere envisages a future where the Lagos State health sector will serve as a model not only for other states in Nigeria but across the continent and beyond.

“Through Lagos SHIP, we will support the Lagos State Government in unlocking the potential of electronic medical records, securely leveraging data from public and private hospitals and allied locations. This will facilitate improved experiences for stakeholders across the board, from healthcare administrators to medical professionals and patients,” he noted.

Earlier, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Health, Dr. (Mrs.) KemiOgunyemi, highlighted the transformative potential of the SHIP, stressing that it has the capacity to enhance healthcare delivery through improved data management, streamlined operations, and better patient engagement.

Adding to the discourse, the Permanent Secretary of the Lagos State Ministry of Health, Dr. OlusegunOgboye, elaborated on the platform’s patient-focused approach. “SHIP is going to allow us to be more patient-focused,” Ogboye said.

“We are already patient-focused, but SHIP gives us that extra incentive, that extra step towards individualized care, leading to better outcomes for patients.”

Managing Director Digital Health Platform, Interswitch, Mr. OlufemiOlapegba provided key insights into the technological backbone of the SHIP initiative. Highlighting the platform’s design, Olapegba explained that SHIP is fundamentally a health information exchange platform that seamlessly connects the demand and supply sides of healthcare.