The Lagos State government has announced that health insurance is mandatory for all residents, regardless of their socio-economic status. This declaration was made by the Lagos State Head of Service, Mr. Hakeem Muri-Okunola, during the 2022 Ilera Eko Day organized by the Lagos State Health Management Agency. In his keynote address, which coincided with the unveiling of the Ilera Eko Service Charter, the Ilera Eko Enrollee Handbook, and the Bill of Rights, Muri-Okunola emphasized the government’s commitment to making healthcare accessible to everyone in the state.
Muri-Okunola stated, “The Lagos State health insurance plan is not meant for only civil servants but for every resident of the state.” He highlighted that the administration of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has prioritized the health sector, and this initiative aims to ensure that all residents have access to healthcare. He further explained that the health insurance is designed for everyone, irrespective of socio-economic status or circumstances. The Bill of Rights and the enrollee handbook are intended to inform beneficiaries of their rights and responsibilities when accessing healthcare services.
Ilera Eko, the Social Health Insurance program of Lagos State, is supported by the Lagos State Health Scheme Law of 2015, which mandates that all residents obtain health insurance. Muri-Okunola reiterated that this requirement applies to all individuals, regardless of their ethnicity, financial situation, or age, stating, “Everyone is supposed to have health insurance cover.”
Earlier in the event, the state Commissioner for Health, Prof. Akin Abayomi, who was represented by the General Manager of LASHMA, Dr. Emmanuella Zamba, discussed the government’s efforts to enhance the quality of services in state health facilities. Abayomi noted that since the launch of the Ilera Eko Social Health Plan, significant steps have been taken to improve healthcare service delivery. He mentioned that the agency has expanded health benefits under the Ilera Eko plan and is implementing various provider improvement initiatives to ensure that all customers receive quality health services. Recently, the agency also introduced a diaspora plan, a novel initiative in Nigeria’s social health insurance landscape.
Regarding the service charter and enrollees handbook, the commissioner remarked that these documents are crucial for advancing the quality of services in state facilities. He expressed high expectations for the positive impact that their implementation will have on service delivery, urging that great effort must be made to maintain and enhance compliance with the service charter.
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