Posted on: Fri 21-06-2024

Lagos State has launched the Smart Health Information Platform (SHIP). The digital platform is to transform the management and transmission of patient data across all state-owned healthcare facilities, ensuring a more efficient and secure system.

The initiative, spearheaded by the state government, in collaboration with eClat and Interswitch Limited, aims to create a seamless and secure digital cloud for patient data. The platform will be managed by Digital Health Platform, a special purpose vehicle (SPV) comprising Lagos State Ministry of Health, Interswitch and eClat. This SPV will be responsible for the deployment and operation of the technology.

Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu presided over the signing of the concession agreement between the Office of Public-Private Partnership (PPP) and Digital Health Platform. This agreement marks a significant milestone in the full deployment of SHIP within the state’s health sector. The event was also attended by the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Lawal Pedro.

Sanwo-Olu described SHIP as a “transformational step” aimed at simplifying data collection and usage in the health sector. He emphasised the state government’s commitment to leveraging technology to enhance healthcare delivery:

“We have seen global trends in using technology as a backbone to manage healthcare delivery and to assess changes in the lifestyle of the population. Smart Health Information Platform is our own bold step to transform healthcare and ease the cumbersome data processing in our hospitals.”

He said the development of SHIP took two years, during which the best partners were identified to realise the vision of transforming healthcare services in Lagos. He assured the public of the platform’s robust data protection measures: “Ministry of Science and Technology is fully involved in the project’s design and implementation.”

According to the state government, the new innovation enhanced data protection and privacy by eliminating the risks associated with loose data sharing and manual data transmission, ensuring improved protection and privacy for patient data.

It would enable proper allocation of resources and empower decision-makers to analyse and evaluate the impact of healthcare interventions. It would also improve healthcare access by strengthen and enhance access to healthcare services in the state.

Mitchell Elegbe, Group Managing Director, Interswitch, said:  “SHIP will facilitate the free flow of data between health institutions and provide seamless payment options for patients.”

Commissioner for Health, Prof. Akin Abayomi, underscored the importance of SHIP in managing the vast amount of data generated by the state’s healthcare facilities. He noted that the state’s General Hospitals alone generated seven million contact data, not including data from Primary Healthcare Centres (PHCs), tertiary health institutions, and private hospitals:

“Managing such data efficiently requires a robust digital infrastructure, which SHIP provides. When the data are in one place, we can then use that data and collect trends on the health-seeking behaviour of Lagosians.

“This is critical because we can use the data for policy definition and apply resources to specific areas. The platform is not only for patient care but also for policymakers.”

The launch of SHIP in Lagos State represents the beginning of a comprehensive information technology reform in healthcare system. Sanwo-Olu expressed optimism that the new digital platform would yield significant benefits, enabling the state to analyse health needs more effectively and guide interventions accordingly:

“The introduction of SHIP marks a significant leap forward in Lagos State’s commitment to improving healthcare through technology, setting a benchmark for other regions to follow. As the platform rolls out, it is expected to revolutionize the way healthcare data is managed and utilized, ultimately leading to better health outcomes for the residents of Lagos.”

SOURCE: DAILY SUN NEWSPAPER

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