The Lagos State Government has launched its maiden Digital Health Innovation Challenge as part of efforts to transform healthcare delivery through technology-driven solutions.
The event held at the Adeyemi-Bero Auditorium, Alausa, Ikeja, brought together government officials, healthcare professionals, technology innovators, development partners and investors to explore digital solutions aimed at improving access, efficiency and quality of healthcare services across the state.
Speaking at the event, the Commissioner for Health, Akin Abayomi, said the initiative reflected the government’s commitment to creating opportunities for local innovators to develop solutions to pressing healthcare challenges.
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Abayomi praised participants for developing ideas focused on areas including emergency response, health insurance, sickle cell management, neonatal care, medication adherence and post-hospital support, noting that the solutions aligned with Lagos’ healthcare priorities.
He highlighted the role of digital technology in expanding healthcare access, recalling how Lagos adopted home-based care for COVID-19 patients during the pandemic when isolation centres became overstretched.
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“Biotechnology and digital innovations are moving healthcare beyond traditional hospital settings by bringing care closer to communities and homes,” Abayomi said.
The commissioner also disclosed that the Lagos State Smart Health Information Platform (SHIP), the state’s central digital health initiative, had reached about 30 per cent implementation across public healthcare facilities.
He explained that SHIP would integrate medical records, improve resource management, support artificial intelligence applications, enable predictive healthcare and strengthen data protection measures.
He urged innovators to develop solutions that could work with the platform as the government deepens collaboration with the technology sector.
The Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Health, Dayo Lajide, said innovation required proper support and mentorship to achieve meaningful impact.
She assured participants, including those who did not emerge as winners, of continued technical guidance to improve their solutions for possible adoption within the state’s healthcare system.
The initiative also received support from other government ministries.
The Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Innovation, Science and Technology, Tiwalade Adeyinka Sorungbe, highlighted the importance of technology in modern governance and encouraged healthcare workers to improve their digital skills.
Representing the Commissioner for Youth and Social Development, Mobalaji Ogunlende, Chief Youth Development Officer Patience Okeke commended the challenge for empowering young innovators to contribute to sustainable development.
The Head of the Digital Health Unit, Adebanke Odunsi, said the challenge was introduced to address challenges faced by health-tech startups, including scalability, sustainability and integration into existing healthcare structures.
She revealed that more than 40 entries were reviewed before 10 finalists were selected, adding that the unit would continue to monitor the progress of the innovators and support solutions that could eventually integrate with SHIP.
A member of the judging panel and Chief Executive Officer of ABC Health, Moris Atoki, praised the quality of the innovations presented, noting that each finalist had been paired with a mentor to support product development and commercialisation.
The Director of Healthcare Planning, Research and Statistics, Olajumoke Oyenuga, expressed optimism that future editions of the challenge would expand and deliver greater impact.
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The competition ended with the selection of three top innovations: Warrior AI from LASUTH, Ikeja; Pierflow Lens from Pierflow; and Emergibridge from Lifeline.
The launch marks another step in Lagos State’s efforts to build a technology-driven healthcare system capable of improving service delivery and patient outcomes.
