Sanwo-Olu: ‘This is a bold move to use technology for effective health delivery’
In a significant leap towards modernizing healthcare, Lagos State has launched the Smart Health Information Platform (SHIP), aiming to revolutionize data management across all state-owned healthcare facilities. The initiative, spearheaded by Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, promises to enhance the efficiency and security of patient data handling.
The State Government has forged a vital partnership with eClat, a leading health technology company, and Interswitch Limited, to develop and deploy SHIP. This collaboration culminated in the signing of a Concession Agreement between the Office of Public Private Partnership (PPP) and the newly formed Digital Health Platform Limited, which includes representatives from the Lagos Ministry of Health, Interswitch, and eClat.
Governor Sanwo-Olu, overseeing the agreement signing alongside Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice Mr. Lawal Pedro, highlighted the platform’s role in eliminating the inefficiencies of manual data sharing. He emphasized SHIP’s robust design for safeguarding patient information, describing it as a “transformational step” towards a more efficient healthcare system.
The introduction of SHIP is set to streamline data collection, allowing for better resource allocation and impactful health sector interventions. “We have seen global trends in using technology as a backbone to manage healthcare delivery,” Sanwo-Olu remarked. He drew parallels to technological advancements in banking, transportation, and education, asserting that SHIP represents Lagos’s commitment to similar transformation in healthcare.
Over two years in the making, the platform’s development involved meticulous planning to ensure the highest standards of data security and privacy. Governor Sanwo-Olu reassured the public of their data’s safety, highlighting the Ministry of Science and Technology’s critical role in the project’s design and approval.
Commissioner for Health, Prof. Akin Abayomi, noted the extensive data generated by state healthcare facilities, which include over 7 million contact records from General Hospitals alone. SHIP’s robust digital infrastructure will address issues of data redundancy and errors, facilitating seamless data flow and enabling comprehensive health service planning.
Group Managing Director of Interswitch, Mitchell Elegbe, praised the partnership’s potential, stating that SHIP would enhance data accessibility between health institutions and streamline payment processes for patients. He assured that patient data security remains a top priority.
As Lagos State embarks on this innovative journey, SHIP is poised to bring about significant improvements in healthcare access and delivery. By harnessing the power of technology, the platform will provide valuable insights into health trends and needs, guiding policy and resource allocation to better serve the population.
Governor Sanwo-Olu’s vision for SHIP reflects a broader commitment to leveraging digital solutions for public good, marking the beginning of a new era in Lagos’s healthcare sector.
