By Ishaya Ibrahim, News Editor
Lagos State Government, through its Health Management Agency, has, in partnership with Nigeria’s premier financial institution, First Bank, made pragmatic moves towards ensuring that its residents at the grassroots have access to affordable, quality and effective healthcare.
General Manager of the Lagos State Health Management Agency, Dr. Emmanuella Zamba, says the agency will henceforth utilise First Bank’s 13,000 Firstmonie agents as its payment channels for the Lagos State Health Scheme (LSHS)
Speaking while flagging off of the partnership in Alausa, Lagos State, Dr Zamba said the partnership became necessary to facilitate ease of health insurance premium transactions for residents, especially those at the grassroots.
She said First Bank was selected for the partnership in recognition of its effectiveness, efficiency and large clientele base in the state. This was contained in a statement released by First Bank on Thursday.
In her words, “The Agency realised that not all residents can go to the Bank or use online platforms for the payment of their health insurance premiums, hence the Agency identified the need for other payment platforms such as the Firstmonie Agents.”
She asserted that the partnership would avail residents of the state the much needed opportunity to pay either N40,000 annually for family plan or N8,500 annually for individual plan through any of the Firstmonie Agents.
The General Manager further said that once the insurance premium is paid before 25th of every month, such enrollee could receive care from the first day of the following month at any public or private hospital of their choice within the scheme’s network of providers.
While commending the good gesture of First Bank of Nigeria Limited, Dr. Zamba urged other corporate and multinational organizations to support the Agency towards ensuring that Lagos residents, irrespective of their tribal, cultural or religious differences, access quality healthcare.
She disclosed that efforts were being intensified to ensure that residents could also enroll for the Scheme at any of the Firstmonie Agents situated within their localities.
The Deputy Managing Director, First Bank of Nigeria Limited, Mr. Gbenga Shobo, who commended the Lagos State Government for its determination in ensuring the good health and wellbeing of all residents, said “the initiative will play a crucial role at improving the life expectancy of Lagos residents, whilst promoting their increased contribution to the growth and development of the State”.
He implored residents not to hesitate to pay their health insurance premiums at any of the Firstmonie Agents located in all the local governments and local council development areas in the State in order to have their health secured.
Shobo advised residents in the State to register and enrol in the Scheme in order to enjoy the good gesture of the present administration led by Mr. Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu.