How Lagos State is deploying tech to manage COVID-19

The Lagos State Commissioner for Health, Akin Abayomi, has revealed that the state's response to the COVID-19 pandemic has been heavily influenced by data-driven strategies, paving the way for effective management of the outbreak. Speaking in an exclusive interview with CNBC Africa, Abayomi emphasized the significance of technology in the healthcare system, stressing that the state had already implemented a digital platform to handle the pandemic even before the first index case emerged on its shores. Abayomi highlighted the efforts made to 'flatten the curve' and ensure that the number of cases in Lagos State remained within the capacity of the healthcare system to manage. He mentioned that despite the peak of the outbreak, interventions were implemented to keep the cases under control, leading to a phase of plateau with a low level of positivity within the community. While acknowledging that COVID-19 is still present, albeit at a reduced level, Abayomi outlined measures put in place to prevent a potential second wave. These measures include vigilance against new imported cases and preventing abnormal clustering of individuals even as the economy gradually reopens. The proactive approach adopted by Lagos State in its COVID-19 response was characterized by real-time data collection and analysis through a digital platform. Abayomi explained that the access to daily data allowed for dynamic policy changes and the implementation of effective strategies to curb the virus transmission while ensuring that the healthcare resources were optimally managed. In response to the global curiosity surrounding Africa's relatively lower number of COVID-19 cases compared to other continents, Abayomi attributed the continent's resilience to its familiarity with emerging infectious diseases such as Ebola, cholera, and monkeypox. He noted that Africa's early and aggressive response to the pandemic, coupled with its younger demographic profile, contributed to a better overall outcome in managing the virus. As the pandemic continues to evolve, Lagos State remains committed to leveraging technology and data-driven approaches to navigate the challenges posed by COVID-19. With a focus on maintaining a delicate balance between economic activities and public health safety, the state government is determined to keep the virus at a manageable level while sustaining an open economy.