By Jeph Ajobaju, Chief Copy Editor
Some three million of the 24 million residents of Lagos are to be enrolled by the government in its health insurance scheme by the end of 2022 to ensure better financing and delivery of quality healthcare post pandemic.
Lagos State Health Management Agency (LASHMA) General Manager Emmanualla Zamba disclosed this at a briefing on “Ilera Eko” grassroots sensitisation and enrollment drive across all councils.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports Zamba as saying that sensitisation and enrollment is imperative because the government understands that health is wealth, per reporting by Nairametrics.
She disclosed that 527,000 residents have been registered under the insurance scheme and expressed the hope that more will do so under the “pay small, small” plan, which allows monthly payment.
Up to 222 health facilities are enlisted to enrol applicants.
Office of Civic Engagement Adviser Aderemi Adebowale reiterated that all around the world, health is on the priority list of government at all levels and Lagos cannot afford to be an exception.
Focus on Universal Health Coverage
She said Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s administration is focused on making sure that all residents have access to quality, equitable, and affordable healthcare regardless of socio-cultural and economic status, so as to attain Universal Health Coverage (UHC), which also involves construction and renewal of health facilities.
“This has also necessitated the continuous initiation and promotion of various intervention programmes that include the Lagos State Health Insurance Schemes also known as ‘Ilera Eko,’” Adebowale added.
She said LASHMA, in collaboration with the Office of Civic Engagement, is sensitising the grassroots on the Health Insurance Scheme in the 20 councils in the state to promote both the health plan and the enrolment for it.
Benefits of health scheme
Lagos had earlier explained that the scheme enables residents to have access to medical care in their chosen public and private healthcare facilities.
Zamba said the benefits for enrollees include consultation, treatment of common ailments such as malaria, hypertension, diabetes, family planning services, dental care, ultrasound scan, radiological investigations, child welfare services, care of childhood illnesses, neonatal services, gynaecological prenatal care and delivery.
