Lagos unveils new scheme for health insurance
…As Sanwo-Olu commissions five virtual booths, becomes Grand Ambassador of Universal Health coverage
The Lagos State Government has unveiled a new scheme under the state’s existing health insurance plan.
The state Governor, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu on Tuesday launched the Ilera Eko Standard Jaara Health Insurance scheme.
The Governor also commissioned five Ilera Eko Virtual Booths installed in five locations across the State to provide accessible healthcare to people in the informal sector, particularly market men and women, artisans and other stakeholders at the grassroots.
The Ilera Eko Standard Jaara Health Insurance scheme has Telemedicine as part of its permanent component, annual medical screening, Cardiology, Ear, Nose and Throat, Orthopaedic treatments, among others.
Governor Sanwo-Olu was decorated during the programme as the Grand Ambassador of Universal Health Coverage in Lagos. His deputy, Dr. Obafemi Hamzat was also decorated as Ambassador for Ilera Eko.
According to the Governor, the initiatives launched on Tuesday further confirmed the Lagos State Health Management Agency, LASHMA’s long history of improving healthcare accessibility.
Speaking at the event, Governor Sanwo-Olu said the new initiatives marked a significant milestone in health insurance for Lagos State and Nigeria, assuring Lagos residents that his administration will continue to introduce policies and reforms that make healthcare accessible and affordable.
He urged the residents to take good care of their health for their benefit, family and for the good and prosperity of Lagos State.
Governor Sanwo-Olu called on the informal sector which constitutes 70 percent of the population in Lagos State to seize the opportunity of the new initiatives and enrol on ILERA EKO in order to reduce out-of-pocket and huge payment of medical bills.
He said, “The focus of our administration, as outlined in the T.H.E.M.E.S+ Development Agenda, includes improving health outcomes. To this end, we have enrolled all public servants in the ILERA EKO scheme, with the government covering 75 percent of their premiums. Starting in August 2024, all Lagos State pensioners will receive free one-year ILERA EKO coverage which will ensure their access to healthcare in retirement. We are doing all these to enhance our UHC goal.
“The initiatives we are launching today, further confirms LASHMA’s long history of improving healthcare accessibility. One of them is the new ILERA EKO Standard Jaara Health Insurance Plan, which offers additional benefits and peace of mind by reducing the financial burden of medical bills. In this plan, we have heavily subsidised the health insurance premium to ensure that everyone can access healthcare.
“The Virtual Booths are designed to bring healthcare closer to the people and expand the reach of LASHMA’s health insurance scheme; Ilera Eko, across the state. It is particularly useful for our hardworking market men and women who usually find it difficult to leave their shops and wares to take sometimes long trips to hospitals when they are sick. They will serve as first-line health services in the different informal business clusters around the state.
“I invite the formal sector also, to come on board and ensure that their employees are registered and enrolled on ILERA EKO as this will automatically reduce the expenses of the companies especially for the payment of medical bills.”
Governor Sanwo-Olu said he just signed an Executive Order to further strengthen the new Health initiatives and therefore urged Lagos residents to embrace Lagos State Health Scheme.
“The Enforcement team to handle the implementation of the Lagos State Health Scheme, (LSHS) Law and the domestication of the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA) Act, has been constituted and trained. Even though this administration believes more in enlightenment than enforcement, the law still needs to be implemented and obeyed. Therefore, violators of the law will not go unpunished when the Enforcement takes full effect.”
Speaking earlier, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Health, Mrs. Oluwakemi Ogunyemi, commended the Sanwo-Olu administration’s commitment to the health initiatives, noting that Lagos State places value on the lives and health of its citizens.
The Chairman, Governing Council of LASHMA, Mr. Adebayo Adedewe, who said a total of 300 Virtual booths are being proposed across the State to take care of the people at the grassroots, said the new initiatives by LASHMA is to ensure that more residents have access to quality and affordable healthcare.
According to Adedewe, the Ilera Eko Virtual Booth Initiative launched by the Governor will be available in five locations of Lagos State, which are Yaba, Ketu Bus Stop, Ketu; Adamo market, Ikorodu; Sabo market, Ikorodu and Ayetoro market, Epe.
He said, “To enjoy the Standard Jaara Health Insurance Plan, an individual will pay a premium of N15, 000 per annum. Payment of premium on our family plan has been stratified in line with the feedback received from our Enrollees. While a family of four consisting of the father, mother and two children below 23 years, will pay N55,000 per annum, a family of six, consisting of the father, mother and four children also below 23 years, will pay N80,000 per annum. Additional dependents below 23 years old will pay N10, 000 per annum.”
