LAGOS ADOPTS TECHNOLOGY TO AID EASY ACCESS TO HEALTH SCHEME ` FOR RESIDENTS

 
The Lagos State  Government  is to  adopt a technology based application that would go a long way to ensure easy access of the scheme by residents especially for underprivileged households ahead of its  soon to be launched mandatory 

Lagos State  Health Scheme (LSHS),

The LSHS is a state-wide health insurance initiative targeted to ensure that all residents of the state have access to quality, affordable health care services. The scheme covers treatment of common adult and childhood ailments, maternal and child services, preventive healthcare services, selected non-communicable diseases and surgeries.

Commissioner for Health, Dr. Jide Idris in a statement said the technology, ‘CarePay’ ICT platform is a mobile solution for scheme administration which serves as a digital health exchange that would connect the three important stakeholders in Healthcare: payers, healthcare providers and the users or beneficiaries.

He expressed optimism that the CarePay platform “will guarantee ownership of all data generated and ensure that these data can be used to make informed decisions”.

He said one of the objectives was to demonstrate how digital mobile solutions can be utilized to improve decision-making and transparency, reduce transaction costs, and increase access especially for poor households.

Idris said in collaboration with the State Ministry of Health, PharmAccess Foundation Nigeria, a non-governmental organization dedicated to improving access to healthcare in Africa through technology and mobile innovations, implemented the proof of concept mirroring the LSHS benefit package, provider payment mechanisms and the interaction between patients and providers.

He said the proof of concept has 153 families (659 enrollees) in two facilities (one private provider and one public provider) in Alimosho Local Government Area of Lagos State.

Idris said: “Having run for a period of twelve months, the pilot witnessed the 659 beneficiaries, whose premium was paid for by PharmAccess Nigeria, received access to free healthcare for the duration of the pilot.

“The results of this pilot show that the scheme is doable and is a step in the right direction towards achieving Universal Health Coverage (UHC) for the residents of Lagos State.”

According to the General Manager, Lagos State Health Management Agency, Dr Peju Adenusi, the scheme is a mandatory pre-paid health plan for all residents, adding that the LSHS aims to as achieve universal coverage and provide financial protection against catastrophic health care spending. “A healthy population is a productive population,” Adenusi added.

On her part, Country Director of PharmAccess Foundation Nigeria,  Njide Ndili, said the proof of concept which started in September, 2017 was implemented to demonstrate how the scheme can improve the lives of the most vulnerable population at scale, using the mobile phone and light technology.

She explained that prior to commencement of the proof of concept, field agents visited communities around two selected hospitals - Igando General Hospital and Subol Hospital to recruit eligible beneficiaries who will then be enrolled into the pilot.

 

Health Plans Program Officer, PharmAccess Foundation Nigeria, Yemisi Khalidson, said the pilot was administered using the CarePay ICT platform, which he said would ensure seamless implementation of the scheme on takeoff.

PR/ADEAGA

BUHARI SET TO VISIT SEME BORDER ON TUESDAY

President Muhammadu Buhari and his Republic of Benin counterpart, Patrice Talon will on Tuesday perform the official hand-over of the new Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Border Posts at Seme-Krake and Neope-Akanu in Badagry.

According to a statement   issued by the Lagos  state government , the President would be received at the Airport by the Governor Akinwunmi Ambode  while the duo would thereafter proceed to the venue.

The  Lagos State Government said all necessary arrangements to ensure hitch-free unveiling ceremony had been firmed up, with all  necessary security and logistic arrangements made by the State Government in partnership with relevant federal government agencies.

The state government  solicited  the usual support and cooperation of residents throughout the visit.

ADEAGA 

CLERIC MARKS CALL TO MINISTRY, SPEAKS ON STATE OF THE NATION

Senior Pastor,  Palace of Miracle Evangelical Ministry,  Apostle Godwin Akinsola has urged  Nigerian Youths  to be gainfully engaged in a vocation so as to contribute positively to the development of the nation as future leaders.

In an interview, at  a special Thanksgiving service marking  his call to ministry the  senior pastor  Palace of miracle Evangelical ministry,  Apostle Godwin Akinsola, charged the youths to believe in themselves and avoid being reliant on others .

On the state of the nation, Apostle Akinsola asserted that there was hope for Nigeria to regain its  eminent position as the giant of Africa  despite  current challenges facing the nation.

With the 2019 elections around the corner, the cleric urged Nigerians to dwell in unity . He said  that the unity of the country  cannot be compromised, noting that Nigeria is a covenant nation. 

 The cleric  asserted that the 2019 elections would be peaceful and the will of God for the nation would be established.
 

TITI ADEAGA

FASHOLA EXPLORES BUSINESS OPPORTUNITIES WITH GERMANY

The German business community in the port city of Hamburg have discussed with the Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babatunde Fashola, and other state officials on discussions on opportunities for business partnership between Lagos and Hamburg.
The meeting, which was at the instance of the German Consul-General, saw Fashola leading a team comprising members of the State Executive Council and the House of Assembly.
A statement issued by the Senior Special Assistant on Media to the Governor, Mr. Hakeem Bello, said that the governor spoke at the business roundtable organised by the German-African Business Association (Afrika-Verein) in Hamburg.
Fashola was said to have listed areas of partnership and investment opportunities to include the Lekki Free Trade Zone; power sector, water supply, rail network, water transport, housing and health care.
In his presentation titled, “Investment Opportunities In Africa’s Emerging Model Mega-City,” Fashola explained the rationale behind the LFTZ, the proposed Lekki airport, deep sea multi-purpose port within the zone, light industrial and manufacturing estate, petrochemical plants and oil refineries, housing and power supply projects as well as the incentives, which had been provided for the benefit of investors.
Such incentives include 100 per cent repatriation of capital, profit and dividends; 100 per cent tax holidays, custom duties and levies, tax-free imports of raw materials and components for goods destined for re-export, waiver on all import and export licenses and waiver on all expatriate quotas for companies operating within the zone.
Water supply, Fashola pointed out to the German business community, also offered huge returns on investment as Lagos had over 18 million people and a growing population.
Other areas of investment in this sector, according to the Governor, include construction and management of water plants, water distribution and bulk metering of 31 zones and waterworks.
Areas of investment in the sector, according to Fashola include the Blue Line, 27 kilometres, and the Red Line, 31km, station parking, rail infrastructure development which required $787m, with projected returning annual revenue of $400m.
“With the capacity to transport 37 million people annually with projected yearly revenue of $37m, our four ferry routes is also another investors haven where investors can also take on jetty construction and management, operator services as well as ferries,” Fashola said.
Thos who accompanied Fashola on the trip include the Chief Whip of the state House of Assembly, Dr. Abdulrazaq Balogun, Chairman, House Committee on Commerce and Industry, Mr. Sanai Agunbiade and Chairman, House Committee on Health, Dr. Babatunde Adejare.
Others were the state Commissioner for Transportation, Prof. Bamidele Badejo and his health counterpart, Dr. Jide Idris, his Special Adviser on Works and Infrastructure, Mr. Ganiyu Johnson, and his Commerce and industry counterpart, Mrs. Sola Oworu.