By Bilkis Abdulraheem Lawal
The Lagos State Health Management Agency (LASHMA) has trained 36 health reporters from different media organisations in the State on the Lagos State Health Scheme (LSHS) and the Mandatory Social Health Insurance Programme, ILERA EKO.
The two-day capacity-building programme, which began on Tuesday, August 18, is aimed at equipping journalists with accurate information to improve public awareness, understanding and acceptance of the scheme.
Speaking at the programme, LASHMA Permanent Secretary, Dr Emmanuella Zamba, said the media had a critical role in promoting trust, accountability and public understanding of health insurance.
Zamba who was represented by the LASHMA Business Development Head, Rotimi Olatunji, said the training fulfilled a commitment she made at a National Media Dialogue in Abuja in October 2025 to prioritise capacity building for journalists. She added that LASHMA, in collaboration with the International Society of Media in Public Health, had trained 56 journalists in February 2026.
She said the Lagos State Government’s commitment to universal health coverage informed the Executive Order signed by Governor Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu on July 16, 2024, making health insurance under ILERA EKO mandatory for all residents.
According to her, all Lagos State public servants have been enrolled in the scheme, with the government paying 75 per cent of their annual premium while workers contribute 25 per cent. She also disclosed that the Equity Fund for vulnerable residents had been increased from ₦1 billion to ₦3 billion.
Also speaking, the Coordinating Director, Lagos State Ministry of Information and Strategy, Mr Adesegun Ogundeji, said ILERA EKO applied to everyone residing in Lagos State, irrespective of their state of origin or nationality.
Ogundeji represented by a Director in the Ministry, Kayode Sutton, said the applicable premium was ₦15,000 for an individual, ₦55,000 for a family of four and ₦80,000 for a family of six, with enrollees entitled to services including consultations, specialist care, emergency services, selected surgeries, medical tests and prescribed drugs.
According to him, enrollees can access services including consultations, specialist care, dental and eye care, selected surgeries, treatment for malaria and typhoid, management of hypertension and diabetes, emergency care, childhood healthcare, medical tests and prescribed drugs.
He urged journalists to provide accurate and balanced reports on ILERA EKO, stressing that effective communication and responsible journalism were essential to achieving the goal of affordable and quality healthcare for all Lagos residents.
The two-day capacity-building programme is expected to deepen journalists’ understanding of the Lagos State Health Scheme and strengthen their capacity to report on health insurance, enrolment, benefits, implementation and accountability.
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