By Esther Olaoluwa |
The Lagos State Government has launched the maiden Digital Health Innovation Challenge as part of efforts to strengthen healthcare delivery through technology, bringing together innovators, healthcare professionals, policymakers, development partners and investors to develop practical digital solutions that improve access, efficiency and quality of healthcare services across the state.
The event, held at the Adeyemi Bero Auditorium, Alausa, Ikeja, showcased innovative health-tech solutions designed to address critical healthcare challenges while supporting the state’s broader vision of building a digitally connected and data-driven healthcare system.
Government Backs Digital Innovation in Healthcare
Delivering the keynote address, the Commissioner for Health, Prof. Akin Abayomi, described the initiative as a demonstration of the government’s commitment to creating an enabling environment for innovators to develop practical solutions that address healthcare challenges.
He commended participants for the quality and creativity of the innovations presented, noting that many of the solutions aligned with the state’s priorities in emergency healthcare, health insurance, sickle cell disease management, neonatal care, medication adherence and post-hospital care.
According to him, government has a responsibility to provide the right policies and support systems that enable innovators to translate ideas into practical solutions capable of improving healthcare delivery.
“Government only needs to create the enabling environment. Once we make our intentions known, our brilliant innovators take the ideas further by developing practical solutions to real problems,” Abayomi said.
SHIP to Drive Digital Healthcare Transformation
The Commissioner disclosed that the Lagos State Smart Health Information Platform (SHIP), the state’s flagship digital health initiative, has reached about 30 per cent implementation in Phase One across public healthcare facilities and will subsequently be extended to the private health sector.
He explained that SHIP would synchronise patients’ health records across facilities, strengthen data-driven planning, improve the use of Artificial Intelligence in healthcare, support predictive healthcare and enhance decision-making while maintaining high standards of cybersecurity and data protection.
Abayomi recalled how Lagos successfully adopted home-based management of COVID-19 patients when isolation centres became overwhelmed during the pandemic, describing it as evidence that technology can expand quality healthcare beyond hospital walls into communities.
He said the Digital Health Innovation Challenge was designed to encourage innovators to develop interoperable technologies capable of integrating seamlessly with SHIP, adding that the government would continue investing in preventive healthcare, digital transformation and public-private partnerships.
Ministry Commits to Supporting Innovators
Earlier, the Permanent Secretary, Lagos State Ministry of Health, Dr. Dayo Lajide, described the maiden challenge as a strategic platform connecting innovators, healthcare professionals, technology experts, investors and policymakers to develop practical solutions for healthcare delivery.
She said innovation flourishes when ideas are encouraged, supported and transformed into implementable solutions capable of improving health outcomes.
Lajide commended participants for responding to the Ministry’s call and assured them that Lagos State would continue creating an enabling environment where technology, research and innovation contribute meaningfully to healthcare delivery.
She urged finalists to embrace constructive feedback, refine their innovations and continue developing their ideas beyond the competition, assuring participants that mentorship and technical support would continue even after the challenge.
The Permanent Secretary also appreciated members of the judging panel, development partners and organisers for their contributions to the successful hosting of the inaugural edition.
Stakeholders Highlight Technology’s Growing Role
Speaking at the event, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Innovation, Science and Technology, Mr. Tiwalade Adeyinka Sorungbe, said digital technology has become indispensable to modern governance and service delivery.
He encouraged healthcare professionals to continually improve their digital skills and assured innovators of the ministry’s readiness to provide technical guidance, collaboration opportunities and support for innovative ideas capable of transforming healthcare.
Representing the Commissioner for Youth and Social Development, the Chief Youth Development Officer, Mrs. Patience Okeke, described the initiative as an important platform for empowering young innovators, entrepreneurs and researchers to develop practical healthcare solutions.
She reaffirmed the government’s commitment to supporting programmes that harness the creativity and innovation of young people to drive sustainable development.
Over 40 Innovations Submitted
Providing an overview of the initiative, the Head of the Digital Health Unit, Dr. Adebanke Odunsi, said the challenge was established after the Ministry observed recurring gaps in many health innovation proposals, particularly in the areas of scalability, sustainability and integration into the wider healthcare ecosystem.
She explained that the programme was deliberately designed to go beyond a competition by providing mentorship, partnerships and opportunities for innovators to secure funding for promising solutions.
According to Odunsi, more than 40 applications were received, with the top 10 finalists selected following a rigorous assessment process.
She added that innovators who did not emerge as winners would continue to receive support from the Ministry to strengthen their solutions and prepare them for future opportunities.
Odunsi noted that the Digital Health Unit was established to leverage technology in improving healthcare delivery and patient outcomes, adding that several of the innovations presented have the potential to integrate with the Lagos State Smart Health Information Platform.
Top Three Innovations Recognised
Announcing the top three innovations, Chief Executive Officer of ABC Health and member of the judging panel, Dr. Moris Atoki, described the challenge as a celebration of innovators committed to solving healthcare challenges through technology.
She commended participants for the quality and originality of their solutions and encouraged them to continue refining their innovations through mentorship and strategic partnerships.
Atoki disclosed that every participant had been paired with a mentor who would provide guidance and technical support beyond the competition.
Closing the event, the Director of Healthcare Planning, Research and Statistics, Dr. Olajumoke Oyenuga, thanked government officials, judges, mentors, partners and innovators for contributing to the success of the maiden edition.
She expressed confidence that future editions of the Digital Health Innovation Challenge would attract more innovative solutions capable of strengthening healthcare delivery across Lagos State.
At the end of the competition, Warrior AI developed by LASUTH Ikeja, Pierflow Lens by Pierflow and Emergibridge by Lifeline emerged as the top three innovations, highlighting the growing potential of locally developed digital technologies to support Lagos State’s efforts to build a more efficient, accessible and technology-driven healthcare system.
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