Lagos SHIP Launches, Vows To Boost Patient Care And Efficiency

Lagos State Government and Interswitch Group have hosted a stakeholders’ engagement forum to introduce the health sector to the Lagos SHIP concept, marking a significant step towards offering 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 services.

The 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.

Prof. Abayomi stated that “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.

He said, 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, eClat Interswitch, 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 Interswitch e’Clat, Dr. Wallace Ogufere, remarked that, “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.

By leveraging advanced technologies like Artificial Intelligence (AI), machine learning, virtual care, wearables, data analytics, and the Internet of Medical Things (IoMT), Lagos SHIP will redefine the way healthcare is delivered, accessed, and experienced,” Dr. Ogufere added.

The Special Adviser to the Governor on Health, Dr. (Mrs.) Kemi Ogunyemi, 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.

“The journey to this day began with our determination to establish a unified patient record system, a need made glaringly obvious during the Ebola and COVID-19 pandemics. With the Lagos SHIP, we are not just launching a digital platform, but we are also laying the foundation for a more resilient and responsive healthcare system,” Dr. Ogunyemi stated.

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

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

He noted that SHIP will also help mitigate the “japa syndrome” by creating a more conducive environment for healthcare workers, enhancing job satisfaction, and encouraging professional development.

Dr. Ogboye also highlighted the strategic role of SHIP in achieving the state’s long-term healthcare objectives, aligning with the Governor’s THEMES Plus agenda.

Managing Director Digital Health Platform, Interswitch, Mr. Olufemi Olapegba provided key insights into the technological backbone of the SHIP initiative.

Olapegba explained “SHIP will comply with various regulations and standards, particularly adopting the FHIR (Fast Healthcare Interoperability Resources) standard, which is the globally recognized best practice for exchanging health information,” Olapegba stated.

He emphasized that SHIP will expose a variety of Application Programming Interfaces (APIs) to enable the secure and efficient sharing of health data across different touchpoints within the healthcare ecosystem.

Another critical feature of SHIP is the Summary Care Records API, which facilitates the exchange of clinical data, ensuring that vital details required for continuous care are easily accessible to healthcare providers.

Additionally, the platform will offer an e-Prescription service, enabling patients to receive prescription services beyond the confines of the health facilities they visit. “For example, a patient could visit a hospital in Ikoyi and pick up their medication in Epe if it’s not available at the original location,” Olapegba noted.

The launch of Lagos SHIP underscores Interswitch’s commitment to driving positive change and enhancing healthcare delivery across Lagos State and beyond.

Both Interswitch and the Lagos State Government are confident that Lagos SHIP will serve as a catalyst for positive transformation within the healthcare sector, ultimately improving the well-being of millions of residents.