The Lagos State Primary Health Care Board (LSPHCB) has partnered with the Clinton Health Access Initiative (CHAI) at a two-day 4th Africa Digital Health Summit 2024 held recently at Eko Hotel.
Themed “Digital Transformation of Health Systems: What, Why, and How?”, the event convened key stakeholders in the health sector, including Dr. Tunji Alausa, Minister of State for Health, and Dr. Abimbola Bowale, Supervising Permanent Secretary of LSPHCB.
During a panel session, LSPHCB officials discussed “Leveraging Digital Health for Primary Health Care (PHC)”. Moderated by Dr. Tayo Owolabi, Digital Health Programme Officer, the panel featured Dr. Ladi Abudu, Deputy Director, DPRS & Digital Health Transformation Lead, alongside other industry experts.
Dr. Ladi Abudu underscored Lagos State’s commitment to aligning with digital health policies for health service transformation through technological advancements. “Lagos State is aligning with digital health policies to ensure its integration into the transformation of health services, leveraging technological advancements”, he stated.
Mr. Abiola Oshunniyi, Project Manager at CHAI, emphasised the imperative of cross-sector collaboration to expedite digital healthcare. “Fundamentally, collaboration is key. To accelerate the digitalisation of healthcare, we must move forward together, with each contributing their expertise”, he remarked.
Mrs. Unoma Grant, Chief Operating Officer at Paelon Memorial Hospital, highlighted the advantages of Electronic Medical Records (EMRs), such as data security and real-time information. “EMRs secure data and provide real-time information, though they can slow down processes when internet connectivity is an issue. However, their long-term benefits outweigh these challenges”, she noted.
Other panellists included Dr. Adebowale Odulana, Chief Innovation & Strategy Officer at Evercare Hospital and Dr. Adeolu Arogundade, President of the Society for Telemedicine and Health in Nigeria.
The summit served as a platform for stakeholders to exchange insights and best practices in digital healthcare, promoting collaboration and innovation across the sector.