The Lagos State Government has devised a telehealth model to enhance access to Primary Health Care (PHC) across the state.
The initiative was announced by Dr. Olusegun Ogboye, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Health, during the launch of an implementation research project aimed at testing equitable digital-first care in Lagos State.
This development aligns with Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s ‘THEMES PLUS’ Agenda, which places significant emphasis on healthcare by striving to provide affordable, efficient, and fair medical services to residents.
Dr. Olufunmilayo Shokunbi, the Director of Medical Administration and Training at the Ministry of Health, represented Dr. Ogboye during the event. Dr. Shokunbi highlighted the successful implementation of the “EKOTELEMED” telemedicine service introduced by the Lagos State Government in 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic.
“This service has been crucial in delivering vital healthcare assistance and mitigating the risk of contagion among both residents and medical personnel,” said Shokunbi.
The state government has also invested in healthcare infrastructure at the primary and secondary levels, undertaken healthcare worker recruitment, and strengthened public healthcare facilities to enhance the supply side of healthcare.
These efforts aim to fortify the state’s capacity to respond to outbreaks and reduce medical tourism by providing cutting-edge facilities.
Dr. Ogboye called for collaboration in exploring, evaluating, and implementing telehealth solutions to revolutionize healthcare delivery across the state. He encouraged the sharing of knowledge, exchange of best practices, and development of innovative strategies to ensure the successful implementation of telehealth.
To facilitate the research and explore the potential of telehealth, Dr. Ogboye inaugurated a 10-member Committee.
The committee, led by Dr. Emmanuella Zamba, the General Manager of the Lagos State Health Management Agency (LASHMA), will oversee the conduct of the First Implementation Research to Test Equitable Digital-First Care and explore the possibilities of telehealth. Dr. Zamba emphasized the transformative power of telehealth in bridging healthcare accessibility gaps, eliminating geographical barriers, and improving patient outcomes.
Since the introduction of EKOTELEMED, telehealth has proven its ability to connect patients with healthcare providers effectively.
To ensure the continuous optimization of telehealth interventions in the state, LASHMA, with funding from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation and technical support from the Solina Centre for International Development and Research (SCIDaR) and VillageReach, will conduct an 18-month telehealth implementation research and incorporate digital health services into the ILERA EKO basic plan.
The 10-member steering Committee, chaired by Dr. Emmanuella Zamba, comprises individuals from various organizations, including the Ministry of Health, the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, Sterling Bank, Lagos State University College of Medicine (LASUCOM), Ministry of Economic Planning and Budget, Lagos State Bureau of Statistics, SCIDaR, Village Reach, and LASHMA.
They will work together to drive the successful implementation of telehealth in Lagos State.
