Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwoolu.

The Lagos State Government has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Interswitch eClat to develop and operate the Lagos Smart Health Information Platform.

The government hopes that this public-private cooperation will enhance healthcare operations and the Nigerian healthcare sector, which is underfunded.

During the memorandum signing event, the executive governor of Lagos State, Babajide Olusola Sanwoolu, said: "The signing of the Concession Agreement between the Lagos State Government and Interswitch for the implementation of the Smart Health Information Platform signifies the beginning of a comprehensive technological overhaul in Lagos State's health sector.

“I believe that this platform represents a significant approach to utilisiing technology for accessing health information. It is poised to deliver numerous benefits and eliminate payment barriers, thereby encouraging citizens to actively engage with the process.”

According to the partners, Interswitch will let the State Government use electronic medical records from several places to improve experiences and better planning and policymaking.

Wallace Ogufere, president and CEO of Interswitch, commented: "The go-live of the Lagos Smart Health Information Platform will significantly close many identified gaps in electronic medical records management, essentially addressing long-standing constraints including process inefficiencies, limited transparency and inadequacy of necessary tools and supplies, among other challenges."