Lagos engages stakeholders on effective implementation of Smart Health Information Platform
In a decisive move towards digitalising healthcare services and strengthening data-driven decision-making, the Lagos State Government has engaged key stakeholders in a high-level meeting to refine the implementation of the Smart Health Information Platform (SHIP).
The engagement, held on Tuesday at Protea Hotel, Ikeja, brought together top government officials, policymakers, administrators, healthcare professionals, service providers, and the implementing digital vendor partner to strategise on the seamless rollout of SHIP, an initiative set to transform healthcare delivery in the state.
The meeting featured contributions from the Lagos State Commissioner for Health, Prof. Akin Abayomi; Special Adviser to the Governor on Health, Dr (Mrs) Kemi Ogunyemi; Chairman of the Lagos State Health Service Commission, Dr Atinuke Onayiga; members of the Body of Permanent Secretaries in the health sector, and other critical stakeholders.
Addressing attendees, Prof. Abayomi described SHIP as more than a technological upgrade but a fundamental transformation in Lagos State’s healthcare system. He recalled that efforts towards healthcare digitalisation commenced in 2019 during Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s first tenure but were interrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic. However, he noted that lessons from the pandemic, particularly in data-driven decision-making and telemedicine, reinforced the urgency of establishing a centralised digital health system.
Expounding on SHIP’s potential, the Commissioner explained that the platform would integrate health data from primary, secondary, and tertiary facilities, ensuring real-time access to patient records. He noted that this would eliminate inefficiencies associated with paper-based record-keeping, enhance resource allocation, support data-driven policies, and enable early disease detection to curb outbreaks.
Stressing the importance of sustainability, Prof. Abayomi assured stakeholders that SHIP was designed to be cost-effective and self-sustaining, reducing reliance on expensive software licences and recurring costs. He stated that the platform would incorporate artificial intelligence (AI) analytics to predict and prevent disease outbreaks while improving emergency response through real-time ambulance coordination and hospital bed availability tracking.
He urged stakeholders to contribute their expertise, stating that while no system is perfect at inception, continuous collaboration would ensure SHIP evolves into a robust solution tailored to Lagos State’s needs. He also commended the E-Health Unit of the Ministry of Health, the Ministry of Science and Technology, and the Public-Private Partnerships Office for their contributions to the project’s progress.
Special Adviser to the Governor on Health, Dr (Mrs) Kemi Ogunyemi, reinforced the need for full stakeholder commitment to SHIP’s success. She acknowledged that change often meets resistance but insisted that Lagos must embrace digital healthcare transformation without hesitation.
She cited her experience at Emory University Hospital in the United States, where the shift to electronic medical records (EMR) initially faced resistance, particularly from senior consultants. However, over time, digitalisation became integral to their healthcare system. Similarly, she argued that Lagos must undergo a cultural shift, driven by leadership, to fully adopt SHIP.
Sharing insights from a Lagos health team study visit to India’s Digital Health Mission, Dr Ogunyemi noted that India encountered similar challenges but took decisive steps to digitise its healthcare system, continuously refining it. She stressed that Lagos must learn from global best practices and adapt SHIP to suit its unique needs.
Beyond technology, she pointed out that accurate, real-time data is vital for informed decision-making, particularly in epidemic control. According to her, instant access to health data through SHIP will improve disease surveillance, enhance response efforts, and ultimately save lives.
Speaking on SHIP’s technical and financial structure, Permanent Secretary of the Lagos State Ministry of Health, Dr Olusegun Ogboye, outlined key takeaways from Lagos’ visit to India’s digital health facilities.
He noted that government-led funding was instrumental in India’s success, making the system widely accessible before introducing financial commitments. However, he pointed out that Lagos, unlike India, must establish a financially sustainable model from the outset, posing a unique challenge. He stressed the need to strengthen internet infrastructure and national identity systems to facilitate patient enrolment and smooth integration.
Dr Ogboye also explained that while India’s health information exchange (HIE) model does not store patient data, SHIP was designed to retain patient records, raising concerns about data security and privacy. He called on stakeholders to refine SHIP’s implementation framework to align with Nigeria’s health insurance policies and ensure affordability for patients.
Chairman of the Lagos State Health Service Commission, Dr Ayinuke Onayiga, underscored the need for SHIP to be implemented in phases to prevent system failures. She observed that hospitals across Lagos are at different levels of digitalisation, making it crucial to resolve existing inefficiencies before scaling up.
She acknowledged that patients often struggle to access their medical records and stressed that an ideal digital health platform must provide seamless access without unnecessary bureaucracy. “SHIP must prioritise patient-centred solutions before integrating complex functionalities,” she stated.
Managing Director of Digital Health Platform, Interswitch, Mr Olufemi Olapegba, explained how SHIP would function as a health information exchange (HIE) system.
Comparing it to Nigeria’s financial sector transformation, where Interswitch facilitated seamless banking transactions, he noted that SHIP would integrate referral services, prescription processing, and demographic data collection, all powered by Application Programming Interfaces (APIs) for interoperability.
However, he acknowledged Nigeria’s challenges with internet connectivity and power supply, assuring stakeholders that SHIP would incorporate solar-powered solutions and localised data storage to mitigate disruptions.
Director of Healthcare Planning, Research & Statistics at the Lagos State Ministry of Health, Dr Jumoke Oyenuga, provided an overview of SHIP’s development. She revealed that since 2019, Lagos State has been working on a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model to fund and sustain the project.
She announced that e-Clat Interswitch emerged as the preferred vendor after a rigorous selection process, with Governor Sanwo-Olu signing the official contract in April 2024. Now fully in motion, she assured stakeholders that SHIP would transform data exchange, patient management, and overall healthcare service delivery in Lagos.
The Stakeholders’ Engagement Meeting reaffirmed Lagos State’s commitment to pioneering Nigeria’s digital healthcare transformation. With SHIP, the state aims to set a new standard for efficient, data-driven healthcare management, ultimately improving patient outcomes and system efficiency.
