Lagos govt. urges residents to embrace health insurance

The Lagos State government says it is targeting more people to join its health insurance scheme to achieve the goals of the Universal Health Coverage.

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Dr Emmanuella Zambia, the Permanent Secretary, Lagos State Health Management Agency (LASHMA), said this at a news briefing on Thursday in Ikeja ahead of this year’s Universal Health Coverage Day.

Zamba said the domestication of the National Health Insurance Act in Lagos State made it mandatory for both public servants and private residents to enroll in the health insurance scheme in order to reduce out of pocket expenses on healthcare.

Zamba also urged enrollees to always report challenges encountered with the health insurance scheme through toll free lines to ensure improved services.

The theme of this year’s Universal Health Coverage day is, “Health: It’s on the Government.”

The theme underscores the vital role of government leadership in ensuring that healthcare is accessible, affordable and equitable for all.

“It also provides the opportunity for us to showcase the government’s immense contributions to healthcare using the ILERA EKO Way.

“The Universal Health Coverage is not just a global ideal; it is a fundamental human right that all people have access to the full range of quality health services they need, when and where they need them, without financial hardship.

“Lagos State has made tremendous strides toward Universal Health Coverage, and our journey has been driven by the ILERA EKO scheme, which embodies the government’s commitment to health equity,” she said

Zamba said since the enactment of the Lagos State Health Scheme Law in 2015, LASHMA had worked tirelessly to ensure that residents were protected from high health expenditures, ensuring they had access to quality care when needed.

“Investing in health is not just about improving lives, it is about strengthening the backbone of our societies and economies.

“A healthy population means a more productive workforce, stronger communities and greater national resilience.

“Universal Health Coverage is the key to achieving these outcomes, and it requires unwavering political will, strategic funding and inclusive policies that prioritise the needs of the most vulnerable,” Zamba said.

NAN/Wumi