Over 150 Lagos residents register for free health insurance

No fewer than 150 residents of Surulere Local Government Area (LGA) in Lagos, on Friday, registered for the free Health Insurance/Basic Health Provision Fund, an initiative of the Federal Government.

An official of Surulere LGA at Akerele Primary Health Centre, a venue of the free registration, that the initiative was in partnership with the Lagos State Health Management Agency (LASHMA).

The Basic Health Care Provision Fund (BHCPF) is a federal programme in Nigeria that aims at providing a basic package of health services to all Nigerians.

According to the official, the programme is aimed at giving vulnerable residents in the area access to free healthcare delivery.

“This programme is brought to Surulere by the Federal Government to enroll people, most especially the vulnerable in the area, for free health insurance that will last for a year.

“Personnel of LASHMA are in charge of the registration and some of our officers are also on ground to identify the vulnerable residents who truly need the free registration,” the official said.

Some of the beneficiaries commended the government for ensuring that they got free access to care.

Mr Ayodele Jeje-Odion, lauded the government for having the people at heart, adding that most people preferred self medication because they could not afford to pay for medical bills.

“This initiative is a very good and commendable step taken by the government to enroll people within this community for free health insurance.

“A lot of people will stop self-medication if they have access to visit the hospital for the appropriate treatment,” he said.

Earlier, Mr Rasaq Adewunmi, one of the registered residents, described the opportunity of accessing health care for free as a great relief.

“Some people are discouraged from going to the hospital because of out of pocket payment and the present economic situation has affected their means of livelihood.

“This free enrollment that will last for a year is a welcome development and I hope more people will benefit from it,” he said.

Mrs Aisha Abdulwaheed,  a petty trader, expressed appreciation to the government for the initiative.

She also called for more interventions that would put smile on the faces of indigent persons in the country.