The Lagos State Government says it plans to refine the implementation strategy for the Smart Health Information Platform (SHIP), a service provided by a unit of Interswitch, a payment technology company in Nigeria.
In a statement seen by Technology Times, the Lagos State Government says that SHIP, a flagship initiative of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, aims to transform the state’s healthcare system by harnessing technology to enhance data management, streamline services, and improve patient care.
The healthcare system in Lagos State has long been hindered by inefficiencies, including manual data handling and a lack of real-time access to patient records.
To address the implementation of SHIP, Lagos State says it has engaged critical key stakeholders in a high-level meeting to fine-tune the implementation of the programme. The meeting brought together top government officials, including policymakers, administrators, healthcare professionals, health service providers, as well as the implementing digital vendor partner to discuss strategies for a seamless rollout of the initiative aimed at revolutionising healthcare delivery in the state, according to the state government.
“SHIP seeks to address these challenges by creating a comprehensive digital health information system, integrating data from primary, secondary, and tertiary facilities across Lagos.”
SHIP to revolutionise Lagos healthcare delivery
SHIP is designed to address these challenges by creating a comprehensive digital health information system. Developed in partnership with eClat, a subsidiary of Interswitch, SHIP will integrate health data from primary, secondary, and tertiary facilities across Lagos.
This integration will ensure real-time access to patient records, eliminate paper-based inefficiencies, and enhance resource allocation. The platform will also support data-driven policies, facilitate early disease detection, and improve emergency medical responses through AI-driven analytics and real-time ambulance coordination.
The stakeholder meeting brought together government officials, healthcare professionals, and the digital vendor partner to strategise on SHIP’s rollout.
Prof. Akin Abayomi, Lagos State Commissioner for Health, says that SHIP is not merely a technological upgrade, but a necessary revolution in healthcare delivery. He notes that lessons from the COVID-19 pandemic reinforces the need for a centralised digital health system.
“SHIP is not merely a technological upgrade but a necessary revolution in healthcare delivery. It will enable data-driven policies, enhance disease surveillance, and facilitate the early detection of outbreaks.”
Prof. Akin Abayomi, Commissioner for Health
Prof. Abayomi highlights the transformative potential of the technology stating that “SHIP will enable data-driven policies, improve disease surveillance, and facilitate early detection of outbreaks.” He also emphasises the importance of collaboration, noting that while no system is perfect at inception, continuous stakeholder input will refine SHIP into a robust solution tailored to Lagos State’s needs.
Dr. Kemi Ogunyemi, Special Adviser to the Governor on Health, underscores the need for full stakeholder commitment. She references her experience at Emory University Hospital, where digital transformation initially faced resistance, but eventually became integral to the healthcare system. She emphasises that Lagos must similarly embrace change to make SHIP successful.
Dr. Jumoke Oyenuga, Director of Healthcare Planning, Research & Statistics, Lagos State Ministry of Health, reveals that the state worked on a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model to fund and sustain the project since 2019.
She announced that e-Clat, a subsidiary of Interswitch, became the preferred vendor after thorough selection process, and the contract was officially signed in April 2024 by Governor Sanwo-Olu.
According to the Lagos State Government, the implementation of SHIP faces several challenges, including internet connectivity and power supply issues. To mitigate these, the platform will incorporate solar-powered solutions and localised data storage.Â
Dr. Olusegun Ogboye, Permanent Secretary of the Lagos State Ministry of Health, notes that establishing a financially-sustainable model from the outset is crucial, unlike India’s model, which relied on government-led funding initially.
Dr. Atinuke Onayiga, Chairman of the Lagos State Health Service Commission, emphasises the importance of a phased implementation approach to prevent system failures. Hospitals, she says, are at different levels of digital readiness and resolving existing inefficiencies is crucial before scaling up.
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