Lagos State Gov Partners Interswitch, Sensitises Stakeholders To upgrade Patients Care.

By Sherifat Oyediran, Lagos.

Lagos State Government in collaboration with  Interswitch have sensitised stakeholders on the benefits of the soon to be launched Lagos State Health Information platform, tagged, Lagos SHIP which is aimed to improve and upgrade patients’ health care.

The Commissioner, Lagos State Ministry of Health, Prof Akin Abayomi said that the stakeholders’ forum was part of their efforts to have a comprehensive electronic medical data base and provide access to enhanced, efficient and unrestricted healthcare for lagos residents.

According to him, Lagos SHIP is a digital healthcare platform designed to boost healthcare services by leveraging on Interswitch’s robust technology infrastructure.

Speaking at Data-Driven Partnerships, Shaping Health Outcomes in Lagos Today and Tomorrow event,The Commissioner noted that the platform aimed 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 enabling them to make informed decisions and take control of their health.

Prof Abayomi explained that it would allow a positive, effective, and efficient interaction between the healthcare provider and the patient, underscoring the platform’s potential to transform patient engagement.

Managing Director Digital Health Platform, Interswitch, Mr. Olufemi Olapegba who gave insights into the technological background of the project, explained that it is fundamentally a health information exchange platform that seamlessly connects the demand and supply sides of healthcare.

 Mr Olapegba stated that this innovation 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.

According to him, it will expose a variety of Application Programming Interfaces, APIs, to enhance secure and efficient sharing of health data across different touch points within the healthcare ecosystem.

Mr Olapegba highlighted several key services that the service 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. The platform will also empower patients to own and manage their personal health information.

He added that the platform will offer an e-Prescription service, enabling patients to receive prescription services beyond the confines of the health facilities they visit.

Olapegba explained that a patient could visit a hospital in Ikoyi and pick up their medication in Epe if it’s not available at the original location

“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 when fully operational, it will serve as a catalyst for positive transformation within the healthcare sector, ultimately improving the well-being of millions of residents”.