The Lagos State Government has stepped up efforts to achieve Universal Health Coverage through the Lagos State Health Management Agency by engaging Civil Society Organisations under the Lagos State Civil Society Partnership on the implementation of compulsory enrollment into the Ilera Eko health insurance scheme.
Speaking during a stakeholders’ meeting held in Ikeja, Permanent Secretary of LASHMA, Dr Emmanuella Zamba, described the Executive Order mandating health insurance enrollment as a significant milestone towards ensuring that all residents have access to affordable healthcare services without facing financial hardship.
Dr Zamba stated that Lagos State has demonstrated strong commitment to building a sustainable and inclusive healthcare system through the domestication of the National Health Insurance Act, making it the first state in Nigeria to commence implementation processes aimed at expanding healthcare coverage.
According to her, the engagement with civil society organisations was organised to sensitise stakeholders on the importance of compulsory health insurance enrollment, enhance public awareness and encourage wider participation in the Ilera Eko scheme.
She explained that the implementation process is being carried out in phases, beginning with Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs), before extending to the informal sector through grassroots sensitisation campaigns across Local Government Areas and Local Council Development Areas.
Dr Zamba added that the current phase is focused on the organised private sector and employers, with the aim of increasing workers’ enrollment in the state health insurance scheme.
Chairman of LACSOP, Barrister Ayo Adebusoye, commended the progress recorded in healthcare delivery across Lagos State, attributing the achievements to effective leadership and sustained institutional commitment towards improving residents’ access to quality healthcare services.
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