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.

FASHOLA TO LASTMA : KEEP LAGOS TRAFFIC MOVING .

                                                
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Governor, Babatunde Fashola (SAN) has stressed  that the primary responsibility of the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority personnel,  is to keep traffic moving.

The governor who stated this at  the induction of new Special Traffic Mayors and interactive session with Lagos State Traffic Management Authority personnel,at the Blueroof Hall, LTV Complex, Agidingbi  emphasized that if any LASTMA official realizes that in the process of arresting a traffic offender, there is every likelihood of creating more traffic bottleneck such a traffic offender should be let go.

He said  if traffic is kept moving, the quality of life of the average citizen would improve as less hours would be spent in traffic and more money saved by the motorists and commuters on the roads.

Noting that it was impossible for him and other senior government officials to be everywhere, Governor Fashola said every LASTMA official as part of their responsibility  should help generate much needed information on the state of the roads in the state , especially those in need of repairs by regularly sending reports that would assist the government in ensuring that such roads are quickly repaired.

He explained that the Lagos State Government has boosted its capacity for such repairs by not only establishing an agency for road rehabilitation, it has also commenced the process of constructing  an asphalt plant in Ikorodu and Badagry in addition to the one in Ojodu. 

He explained that the relaunch of the Special Traffic Mayor is about the genuine desire of the State Government to get a volunteer Corps to provide solution to an everyday problem by assisting in keeping traffic moving at all times.

The Governor, who also spoke against the backdrop of reported incidents of fatal auto accidents in some parts of the state, stressed that it is pertinent for people to realize that vehicles don’t drive themselves and do not cause accidents but are propelled by people who drive them.

On concerns raised by some people about increased human and vehicular movements in the past few days, the Governor reminded the gathering that it is already the middle of November and several contracts for rice supplies, turkeys, groundnut oil and hampers have been awarded for the Christmas period which have to be executed.

He also explained that the State Government is currently constructing over 200 inner city roads round the state, some of which are in various stages of completion and have resulted in some forms of traffic bottlenecks as well at this period.

He said the underlining factor is that the people must realize that the road is a resource that everyone is always trying to make use of at the same time urging people to consider the possibility that the task necessitating a trip on the road could be carried out through phone calls or text messages.

The State Governor gave a commitment that the State would continue to expend its resources on training of LASTMA staffers as it has done in the past, adding that the operatives have just concluded an intensive training programme to position them for better service.

He said the new trainees would upon graduation be moved to the public service employment scheme that comes with pensions, adding that they can indeed enjoy a clear career in law enforcement cadre in the State public service

He described the reported case of an operative of LASTMA who was caught on tape by a member of the public, soliciting for inducement as that of a bad egg that does not represent the true face of LASTMA, adding that a manhunt is on for the runaway official who would be made to face the law for his act.

The governor stated that the implementation of the Road Traffic Law in the State has brought successes noting that the 646 accidents recorded by August 2012 had dipped to 111 by August this year noting that deaths on commercial motorcycles which stood at 15 monthly  has reduced to one per month while between the period of August to October this year, no death was recorded on okadas in the state.

While noting that the safer roads has encouraged leisure activities like cycling, the Governor also warned those who have formed the habit of skating on highways to desist from doing so as henceforth such people would now be arrested and prosecuted because the act forms an infraction of the State Traffic Law.

He said young people who are interested in skating should go to stadiums and amusement parks to exhibit their skills and not on the major highways.

Governor Fashola also reiterated his appeal to all residents of the State to ensure that they come forward and register with the State Residents Registration Agency which is about the resolve of the government to plan for better services provision utilizing the number of people resident in Lagos.

FAMEHOUSE DEBUTS ON THE NIGERIN MUSIC SCENE

The event held at BUKHA a new eatery in Ikeja part of Lagos, was a mixture of launch and listening party. It featured some of the artists managed by the organisation which included ziz-zag,alpha- b ,kudlar, Collin ,zimax j-gang among others. Speaking on the outfit the CEO farmhouse Leo Isi –Irabor who is an actor and former managing editor people’s express said the organisation is set to spot and nurture fresh Nigerian musical talents to international limelight by bring back good music Leo isi –irabo is of the view that the root to international breakthrough and success lies in the sustained development and injection of authentic Nigerian cultural music element into the global music trend. One of the artist zig-zag who is set to debut as farmhouse record first act with his album ‘first degree” due in the last week of MAY, gave a clip of what its like. Zizg –zag first featured with Alfa Coufa’s album in 1990 and later in Oriste wiliki’s album titled “ONE DROP” in 1992.

COUNCIL BOSS SUES FOR PEACE DURING ELECTIONS

The council boss, Olorunda local council development area ,Hon Amida Abudu has called on Nigerians and especially residence of the council area to shun all forms of electoral violence and come our enmass to vote during Saturday’s presidential election, governorship and house of assembly elections on the 26th of April. Describing Action Congress of Nigeria’s candidates as credible, he said a vote for ACN candidates is a vote for change and progress. Speaking on accusation of non-performance levelled against him ,Hon Amida Abudu said they are mere machination of his detractors.