The Lagos State Government through, State Health Management Agency, LASHMA, has launched a new initiative, Ilera Eko Cooperatives, under the State health scheme, aimed at capturing indigent residents.
Ilera Eko is an health Insurance scheme by the state government for all residents irrespective of status, class, ethnic or sex.
Disclosing this to journalists on Wednesday at a media briefing held at Alausa Ikeja,the permanent Secretary, LASHMA, Dr. Emmanuella Zamba, said the scheme is due to be officially launched at a ceremony scheduled for next week.
Shedding more light on the scheme she said, “our goal is to ensure that Ilera-Eko remains in the forefront of public consciousness and that more Lagosians enrol onto the scheme. Today, we are excited to share some of our major initiatives which will further drive health insurance uptake across the state.
” One of these is the Ilera N Tiwa Cooperative. It is a strategic initiative designed to bring the informal sector on board by providing flexible payment options, for Artisans, Traders and low-income earners.
” Another key initiative we will be sharing with you today is the Ilera-Eko Academy which aims to expand our sales force on the demand side, ensuring, that more residents are reached and educated on the benefits of enrolling into the scheme, even taking that a step further to train, our Ilera-Eko providers to become enrollment points for our prospective and enrollees. We also have initiatives to enhance the supply side in terms of quality and provider incentivization, which we shall also be sharing with you.”
Zamba reiterated that Ilera-Eko is mandatory for every resident in Lagos State and registration has been made easy for those who are yet to enroll, “registration has been made simple and accessible. You can register at our head office, the Good Shepherd house opposite Alausa Secretariat, Ikeja, at our divisional and sub divisional offices, Kiosks that are across the state or at any Community Pharmacy, or provider under the Ilera-Eko Scheme.”
Dr. Zamba stated that while they celebrate the milestones achieved by the agency, she explained that there are still much to be done to raise awareness and boost enrollment.
“I urge every stakeholder, including our journalists to continuously highlight the importance and benefits of Ilera-Eko and help dispel myths, and misinformation surrounding health insurance. Together, we can build a healthier Lagos and achieve universal health coverage.” Dr Zamba said.
LASHMA was established by the enabling act No. 14 of 25 May 2015 and registered in Lagos State of Nigeria (Official Gazette No. 32, Vol. 48) dated 5th June 2015 to ensure that all residents of Lagos State including Public Servants have access to affordable and quality Health Care. Through the Scheme, people living in Lagos can be protected from financial distress resulting from huge medical bills.