Korede Abdullah in Lagos
The Lagos State Government has announced a significant milestone in its efforts to provide universal health coverage to its residents.
As of Thursday, 5th of November, 1.3 million residents have enrolled on Ilera-Eko health insurance scheme, representing a 229,455 increase from the 923,000 enrolees recorded in December 2023.
The Permanent Secretary of the Lagos State Health Management Agency (LASHMA), Dr. Emmanuella Zamba, made this disclosure during a media briefing to commemorate Universal Health Coverage (UHC) Day 2024.
The event’s theme, “Health: It’s on the (house) Government,” highlights the vital role of government leadership in ensuring accessible, affordable, and equitable healthcare for all.
Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s Executive Order earlier this year strengthened the Lagos State Health Scheme Law of 2015, making enrolment in ILERA EKO mandatory for all residents. This move aims to ensure more people can access quality healthcare services.
Dr. Zamba emphasized that investing in health is crucial for strengthening societies and economies. She noted that Universal Health Coverage requires unwavering political will, strategic funding, and inclusive policies prioritizing the needs of the most vulnerable.
Zamba said, “This year’s theme underscores the vital role of government leadership in ensuring that healthcare is accessible, affordable, and equitable for all. It also provides the opportunity for us to showcase the Government’s immense contributions to healthcare using the ILERA EKO Way.
“Universal Health Coverage is not just a global ideal; it is a fundamental human right that all people have access to the full range of quality health services they need, when and where they need them, without financial hardship.
“Lagos State has made tremendous strides toward Universal Health Coverage, and our journey has been driven by the ILERA EKO scheme, which embodies the government’s commitment to health equity. Since the enactment of the Lagos State Health Scheme Law in 2015, LASHMA has worked tirelessly to ensure that residents are protected from catastrophic health expenditures and can access quality care when they need it.”
To boost the ILERA EKO scheme, LASHMA has partnered with a healthcare provider network, which provides channels for enquiries and complaints.
The agency has also implemented innovative initiatives to simplify the enrollment process and ensure every Lagosian is aware of the scheme’s benefits ¹.
