Lagos SHIP Sets Sail, Promises Enhanced Patient Care And Efficiency ….As Lagos, Interswitch Group Continue To Revolutionise Healthcare

Following the recent signing concession agreement to launch the Lagos State Health Information Platform (Lagos SHIP), Lagos State Government and Interswitch Group have organized a stakeholders’ engagement forum to onboard stakeholders in the health sector on the concept of the Lagos SHIP, marking another milestone in the journey towards providing 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.

Lagos residents will be able to book appointments, pay for consultations, access medical records, and purchase medications with ease using the platform.

In his keynote address, 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 further stressed the importance of collaboration in healthcare, noting, “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.

“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, stated that Interswitch, through its healthcare subsidiary Interswitch e’Clat, is working with the Lagos State Government to improve health outcomes in the state.

As a development partner and supporter of the government’s developmental agenda, Dr. Ogufere envisages a future where the Lagos State health sector will serve as a model not only for other states in Nigeria but across the continent and beyond.

“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 Lagos SHIP Engagement Forum was organized to raise awareness for SHIP and its benefits, educate stakeholders on its functionalities, secure stakeholders buy-in and support for SHIP adoption, and address concerns related to data security and privacy in the Lagos health care ecosystem.

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.

She added that the Lagos SHIP is set to address critical challenges in the health sector by managing, analyzing, and utilizing health information more effectively.

According to Dr. Ogunyemi, the platform’s advanced technology will not only enhance data management and patient care but also foster greater collaboration between healthcare providers and government agencies.

“This platform is a testament to our commitment to innovation and excellence. By integrating state-of-the-art technology with existing systems, we are poised to improve health outcomes for all residents of Lagos State,” she added.

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.”

Dr. Ogboye explained how SHIP will empower healthcare professionals to work at their best, reducing errors, improving diagnosis, and fostering global collaboration.

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.

On the patient side, SHIP is designed to provide individuals with greater access to their health information, enabling them to make informed decisions and take control of their health.

“SHIP will allow a positive, effective, and efficient interaction between the healthcare provider and the patient,” Dr. Ogboye stated, underscoring the platform’s potential to transform patient engagement.

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.

He emphasized that SHIP will facilitate faster and more efficient contact during health crises, improve data analytics, and enhance decision-making processes within the healthcare sector.

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

Highlighting the platform’s design, Olapegba explained that SHIP is fundamentally a health information exchange platform that seamlessly connects the demand and supply sides of healthcare.

“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.

Olapegba outlined several key services that SHIP will offer, including the Patient Demography Service, which will uniquely identify and index every patient presenting at health facilities.

“This service allows for seamless tracking of patients as they move across different healthcare providers, ensuring continuity of care,” he explained.

The platform will also empower patients to own and manage their personal health information.

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.