LASHMA PROVIDES ELECTRONIC MEDICAL RECORD SOFTWARE TO ILERA EKO PRIVATE PROVIDERS
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By Sumayyah Olapade
The Lagos State Health Management Agency(LASHMA), In keeping its mission to guarantee better service delivery from its providers and seamless access to healthcare for all enrollees, has provided Electronic Medical Record (EMR) software support to ILERA EKO Private Providers.
The Permanent Secretary of LASHMA, Dr. Emmanuella Zamba, speaking during the handover and demo of the EMR software donated to Lifesource Hospital, Ikorodu, said that the support to private health facilities under the ILERA EKO scheme became necessary to ensure that both the Agency and the Providers are on the same page in the use of technology.
According to Dr. Zamba, some healthcare facilities that do not have electronic medical records (EMR) software frequently face delays in submitting their claims; since the data is important for the sustainability of health insurance, technical support to ILERA EKO health facilities that are yet to be digitised is timely.
The permanent Secretary noted that with the deployment of the technology, waiting time by Enrollees and consultation period by the Hospitals will be reduced making service provision more efficient. She also added that enrolment into the Health insurance scheme
will increase.
Dr. Zamba further noted that the EMR software is user-friendly for patients because it allows participants to view their medical records, including results from laboratory tests, upload vital signs (like blood pressure) via a link, access telemedicine services, and receive test results via email, among other features.
The Permanent Secretary expressed gratitude to Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu for making it possible for private healthcare facilities to receive the EMR software through the ILERA EKO programme. The Permanent Secretary also stated that there is no doubt that technology will significantly reduce the barriers to healthcare access and delivery.
She disclosed that the Agency has about 250 private facilities under the Scheme and the digital technology will be provided for 25 per cent of the private facilities in this first phase.
Dr. Zamba appealed to private facilities under ILERA EKO that do not have EMR software and will not benefit in the first phase of the exercise, that it will soon be their turn. She added that the Agency has taken note of the private Hospitals yet to benefit and very soon, will do the needful.
The Permanent Secretary urged health facilities in the State which are yet to register with the Agency, not to hesitate to join the Scheme so that they can be part of history when Lagos State attains Universal Health Coverage (UHC).
She commended the Board Chairman, LASHMA, Dr. Adebayo Adedewe, for his support in ensuring that the provision of the EMR software to private Hospitals under ILERA EKO became a reality.
The Founder and Chief Executive Officer, Clinify EMR Technology Services Limited, Engr. Michael Omidele explained that the operations of the EMR commenced right from when ILERA EKO Enrollees visit the Record Desk up till when Enrollees get their drugs and leave the Hospitals.
He added that ILERA EKO Enrollees have been pre-registered on the digital technology and therefore, with the software, the era of documenting patients’ information on paper is gone.
The Founder, who explained that Clinify EMR is the first EMR in Africa that can allow Hospitals to submit their claims directly to Health Maintenance Organisations (HMOs) and the only oncology EMR software, for now, that can be used for cancer patients, added that with the EMR, medical personnel can log onto 20 to 50 various laboratories and Pharmacies that they are working with.
Engr. Omidele said that Hospitals can have access to about 500 different tests on the EMR and can also have templates set up to suit the Hospital. In case, the Hospital has several branches, the EMR software, he said, gives room for multiple link-up.
He also said that the innovation has room for multi-language to be used to ensure that medical personnel have effective communication with their patients, especially those who are not literate.
Eng. Omidele commended the Lagos State Government, Board Chairman, LASHMA, Dr. Adebayo Adedewe and Permanent Secretary, LASHMA, Dr. Emmanuella Zamba, for allowing him to serve the State.
The Director of Operations, Lifesource Hospital, Ikorodu, said that as the world is moving with technology, also, Hospitals must embrace technology. She added that the EMR software support from the Lagos State Health Management Agency (LASHMA), will have a great impact on the service delivery of the Hospital as quick medical attention will be given to ILERA EKO Enrollees and other private patients accessing care in the Hospital.
Mrs. Fadiya said that digital technology will also create ease in the workplace for medical personnel as it will reduce the time spent attending to patients. While appreciating LASHMA for extending the EMR to Lifesource Hospital, she said that ILERA EKO is the future of Health Insurance in Nigeria.
The Medical Doctor, Lifesource Hospital, Dr. Barry James, while attending to the first patient with the software, said that the technology, no doubt, would go a long way as far as patient care and record keeping are concerned. He added that the era of looking for documents or misplaced documents is gone with the technology.
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