Lagos enrolls over 1.1m residents in Ilera Eko health scheme

By Sodiq Adelakun

Lagos State has recorded significant growth in the Ilera Eko health insurance scheme, with 1,152,455 residents now enrolled.

This includes a notable increase of 229,455 new enrollees within the past year. Dr. Emmanuella Zamba, Permanent Secretary of the Lagos State Health Management Agency (LASHMA) on Thursday, revealed these figures during a media briefing to mark Universal Health Coverage (UHC) Day 2024, themed “Health: It’s on the (house) Government.”

The increase comes after Lagos Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu signed an Executive Order earlier in the year, aiming to domesticate the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA) Act. This order aligns with the state’s goal to make health coverage mandatory for all residents, ensuring access to quality healthcare services.

Dr. Zamba noted the importance of UHC as a fundamental human right, stating that universal healthcare is crucial not only for individual well-being but also for strengthening the economy.

She highlighted the state’s progress with the Ilera Eko scheme, which aims to protect residents from catastrophic health expenses.

Speaking further, the permanent secretary further disclosed that the agency had partnered with a healthcare provider network in order to boost ILERA EKO Scheme, saying that the network was the backbone of the scheme which provides channels to make enquiries and complaints.

“Additionally, we will look into how we are addressing the needs of vulnerable populations through the Eko Social Health Alliance (EKOSHA). You will see how we are bridging the gap through our innovative approach, ensuring that no Lagosian is left behind in our journey to UHC.

“We will also highlight measures we are taking to ensure that all residents fulfil their obligation to enrol in ILERA EKO, which is critical to achieving our shared goal of Universal Health Coverage,” she stated.