Sodiq Ojuroungbe
In a move to transform healthcare delivery across Lagos State, a technology company, Interswitch, has partnered with a UK-based company, Patients Know Best, to enhance the Lagos Smart Health Information Platform, introducing a patient-centric digital health record system designed to streamline clinical workflows and improve care outcomes.
At the core of this collaboration is a shared ambition to create a seamless digital infrastructure that enables healthcare providers across Lagos to securely access and exchange patient data, thereby dismantling longstanding silos in the state’s fragmented healthcare ecosystem.
The Managing Director for Digital Health Platforms at Interswitch, Mr. Olufemi Olapegba, told PUNCH Healthwise that the initiative represents a strategic push towards improved patient care and a more agile healthcare sector, powered by real-time access to medical records.
“Interswitch’s collaboration with PKB underlines our broader commitment to driving digital transformation across critical sectors in Nigeria, including healthcare.
“By leveraging cutting-edge technology to streamline healthcare information exchange, we are building an integrated platform that enhances service delivery, improves patient outcomes, and redefines healthcare access in Nigeria and beyond,” Olapegba said.
He noted that the new digital system will drastically reduce time lags in information transfer between health facilities, a long-standing issue in both public and private hospitals and a key contributor to medical errors and treatment delays.
He added that the initiative will empower patients by giving them more control over their personal health records.
He stressed that the ability for patients to track, update, and share their health data with providers in real-time is expected to foster a more transparent and inclusive healthcare experience.
Also speaking, PKB founder and Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Mohammad Al-Ubaydli, described the partnership as a game-changer for Nigerian healthcare.
He stressed that adopting a patient-controlled health information system will improve trust between patients and providers and accountability in the care process.
He added, “We are excited to partner with Interswitch to introduce a transformative health information system in Lagos.”
“Our secure, patient-centric platform empowers individuals with greater control over their health data while ensuring healthcare providers have real-time access to critical patient information. This partnership paves the way for a more efficient, connected, and responsive healthcare ecosystem.”
Reacting, medical practitioners believed that the shift towards digital records would allow hospitals to reduce operational inefficiencies, citing potential improvements in care coordination, reduced duplication of diagnostic tests, and streamlined patient management, especially for those with chronic conditions.
According to them, by eliminating manual processes and automating administrative workflows, the digital record system will help clinics and hospitals reallocate resources toward clinical care.
A public health physician at the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital, Dr. Funmilayo Adedayo, told PUNCH Healthwise that the digital record system could become a critical tool in tracking health indicators, reducing paperwork, and enabling data-driven decision-making for both clinicians and policymakers.
“This initiative will significantly improve our capacity to follow up with patients, especially those managing long-term conditions like diabetes, hypertension, and HIV.
“The ability to view a patient’s comprehensive history at the point of care reduces the risk of drug interactions, facilitates early detection of complications, and ultimately saves lives,” she said.
The SHIP platform, which was launched by Lagos State to create a digital front door for health services, will serve as the gateway for this innovation.
Lagos residents can already use the SHIP portal to schedule appointments, pay for consultations, and order medications, but the addition of a digital patient record will complete the ecosystem by enabling continuity of care.
Interswitch says the enhanced SHIP platform will not only link hospitals and clinics but also laboratories, pharmacies, and health insurers, creating an end-to-end digital framework that mirrors integrated health systems in countries like the UK and Canada.
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