...as gov bags health tech governor of the year award

…General Hospital, Agbowa receives award for quality care

Governor of Lagos State, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has bagged the Health Tech Governor of the Year Award at the Nigerian Healthcare Excellence Award (NHEA), 2022, held at the Eko Hotel and Suites, Lagos Island, at the weekend.

The award was in recognition of the Lagos State Government's outstanding application of technology to solve health problems and improve the quality of life of citizens.

Speaking after receiving the award, Sanwo-Olu said his administration is poised to maximise the use of technology in driving an efficient healthcare delivery system that offers qualitative, affordable and accessible health service delivery to citizens.

The Governor, who was represented by the Commissioner for Health, Prof. Akin Abayomi, explained how the State Government leveraged technology in its COVID response, noting that the importance of technology in health service delivery is immeasurable.

While thanking the organisers of the award for recognising his administration's effort at birthing an all-inclusive healthcare system that leverages technology to improve the quality of life of residents, Sanwo-Olu noted the efficient use of technology by the state government to achieve good health outcomes, was made possible through a handshake with the private sector, in line with his administration’s public-private partnership strategy.

He explained that despite the plethora of challenges confronting the health sector, public and private sector providers and industry players still find innovative ways at every point in time to rise to the challenges and overcome public health shocks and crises that the country keeps facing.

In his words: "We do this for one reason, we do this because we're Nigerians and we love Nigeria, and we do this because we are custodians of good health and well-being and it is our responsibility to keep our patients healthy and well.

"I think it's important to recognise achievements in the health sector; and as one who is charged with the responsibility of charting the future of the healthcare space in Lagos State, I must say that I'm proud of the contributions and support provided to us by the private sector.

"Throughout COVID, the government of Lagos State relied heavily on the resources, the intellect, and the services of the private sector. It is my hope that the private sector providers will continue to respond kindly and promptly to the call of government whenever the need arises."

Sanwo-Olu congratulated other awardees and thanked them for their contribution to the practice of Health Care in Lagos and in Nigeria adding that their giant strides continue to inspire, not just the present generation, but future generations.

"We know what sleepless nights you go through, the painstaking efforts, care and sacrifices you put in at all levels and areas of healthcare service delivery in paving the way for good health and wellbeing of citizens by providing ideas and opportunities for the next generation," the Governor said.

Earlier, the Chairman Advisory Board of NHEA Dr Anthony Omolola stated that the special recognition award for the Health Tech Governor of the Year was an acknowledgement of the unique way the Lagos State Government under the administration of Governor Sanwo-Olu has leveraged the use of technology to improve the delivery and increase access to quality, affordable and efficient health care services to the populace.

According to him, Lagos is the first state to develop an e-Health strategy in Nigeria and the first public sector organization in Nigeria to be Nigeria Data Protection Regulation (NDPR) compliant.

"The State Government has been in the forefront of promotion and development of data governance programs in the health care sector and creation of a conducive environment for the private health tech businesses to grow, attracting numerous post-pandemic investments in the health tech space,” Omolola said.

He listed other outstanding health technology applications which earned the Governor the award to include, including the 'Eko Telemed' service; automation of secondary and tertiary health facilities in the State; promotion and development of Lagos Smart Health Information Platform (LASHIP) and setting up of an Incident Command System prior to the outbreak of COVID in Nigeria.

Meanwhile, the General Hospital Agbowa also received an award for the most active facility on the Safe care Quality Platform during the award ceremony.

The NHEA is an initiative of the Global Health Project and Resources in Partnership with the Anadach group.

In attendance at the event were; the Representative of the Minister for Health, Dr Osagie Ehanire; Director-General Nigeria Centre for Disease Control, Dr Ifedayo Adetifa; top government functionaries, Stakeholders in Nigeria Health sector, and representatives of financial institutions and partner organisations.