By Bilkis Abdulraheem Lawal
The Lagos State Health Management Agency (LASHMA) has introduced a flexible payment solution, ILERA EKO EasyPay, aimed at widening access to health insurance, particularly for small business owners and residents without stable incomes.
The initiative was unveiled during the agency’s first-quarter media parley held at the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Alausa, Ikeja. Officials emphasised the importance of removing financial barriers that have long prevented many Lagos residents from enrolling in health insurance schemes.
Speaking at the event, the Head of Business Development at LASHMA, Mr Olatunji Rotimi, described EasyPay as a practical response to the economic realities faced by many residents. He noted that the scheme allows enrollees to make payments in instalments, similar to purchasing airtime, thereby aligning with irregular income patterns.
Mr Rotimi added that the platform also enables users to conveniently monitor their payment progress via mobile phones, enhancing transparency and ease of use.
In her remarks, the Permanent Secretary of LASHMA, Dr Emmanuella Zamba, said the EasyPay initiative forms part of broader efforts to improve healthcare access amid rising living costs. She explained that the rollout supports the Lagos State Government’s mandatory health insurance policy under the ILERA EKO scheme, which requires all residents to be enrolled.
Dr Zamba further stated that while enforcement of the policy continues across government ministries, the informal sector, and corporate organisations, the introduction of flexible payment options is designed to ensure compliance without imposing undue financial strain on residents.
The ILERA EKO EasyPay scheme is expected to boost enrolment and strengthen the state’s drive towards achieving universal health coverage.
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