By Esther Olaoluwa |
The Lagos State Government has expanded access to social health insurance with the commissioning of a new ILERA EKO office in Surulere, as part of efforts to bring affordable and quality healthcare services closer to residents and advance Universal Health Coverage (UHC) across the state.
The new office, established by the Lagos State Health Management Agency (LASHMA), is expected to make it easier for residents to enrol in the state’s health insurance scheme, update their records, resolve complaints and access other ILERA EKO services without travelling long distances.
LASHMA Strengthens Access to Health Insurance
Speaking during the commissioning ceremony, the Permanent Secretary of LASHMA, Dr. Emmanuella Zamba, described the new Surulere office as another milestone in the agency’s efforts to strengthen access to social health insurance and improve healthcare delivery at the grassroots.
She explained that the one-stop service centre, located within the premises of the Lagos State Building Control Agency (LASBCA) in Surulere, was strategically established to bring essential health insurance services closer to residents.
According to Zamba, the office will enable residents to register for the ILERA EKO scheme, update personal information, change healthcare providers, resolve complaints, provide feedback and access other services offered by the agency.
Agency Highlights Health Insurance Innovations
The Permanent Secretary noted that since LASHMA became fully operational in 2020, the agency has introduced several initiatives aimed at expanding access to healthcare and improving service delivery across Lagos State.
She listed some of the initiatives to include ILERA N’ TIWA Cooperative, ILERA EASY PAY, the ILERA EKO Telemedicine Service, ILERA IBILE community engagement programme and LASHMA Assistance in Distress (LASHMA-AID), which provides emergency support services.
Zamba added that beyond its divisional offices across the state’s IBILE divisions, the agency currently operates 40 ILERA EKO kiosks and community mobilisation teams to improve access to health insurance services at the grassroots.
Government Reaffirms Commitment to Universal Health Coverage
The Permanent Secretary also reminded residents that Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s Executive Order signed on July 16, 2024, made social health insurance mandatory for all residents of Lagos State.
She said the policy underscores the government’s commitment to ensuring that no resident is denied access to quality healthcare because of financial constraints or high medical bills.
Zamba called on traditional rulers, religious leaders, market associations, transport unions, artisans and other community stakeholders to support awareness campaigns and encourage households to enrol in the ILERA EKO health insurance scheme.
She described the newly commissioned office as “more than a physical structure,” saying it represents hope, accessibility and the state’s commitment to improving healthcare for residents.
Community Leaders Pledge Support
The Oba of Ikate, Oba Lateef Atanda Adams, represented by the Lisa of Ikate, Chief Suab Olayemi, commended the Lagos State Government for expanding access to affordable healthcare through social health insurance.
He urged residents to take advantage of the new office by enrolling in the ILERA EKO scheme, noting that health insurance has become increasingly important in protecting families from the rising cost of healthcare.
The monarch also pledged the support of the traditional institution in sensitising residents on the benefits of the programme.
Similarly, the Bashorun of Ojora and Iganmu Kingdom, Chief Hakeem Ojora, described the commissioning as a welcome development that would improve access to affordable healthcare and reduce the financial burden many residents face when seeking medical care.
He assured the agency of continued collaboration in mobilising residents to enrol in the health insurance scheme.
Stakeholders Back Grassroots Enrolment
The Chairman of the Community Development Committee (CDC), Surulere Constituency I, Hon. Wemimo Odumosu, described the establishment of the office as a timely intervention that would strengthen healthcare delivery within Surulere and its Local Council Development Areas.
He pledged that the CDC would work closely with LASHMA to create awareness and encourage more residents to register under the scheme.
Also speaking, the Chairman of the Farmers Association, Coker-Aguda LCDA, Mr. Adebowale Dawodu, who was named an ILERA EKO Champion by LASHMA in recognition of his support for the programme, promised to mobilise more farmers within the community to enrol in the health insurance scheme.
The commissioning of the Surulere office forms part of the Lagos State Government’s broader efforts to deepen access to affordable healthcare, strengthen community-based health insurance and accelerate progress towards achieving Universal Health Coverage across the
Share this
