LASHMA urges residents to embrace ‘Ilera Eko’ for quality healthcare

The Lagos State Health Management Agency (LASHMA) has urged residents to enrol in the Lagos State Health Insurance Plan, popularly known as ‘Ilera Eko’.

Permanent Secretary at the ministry, Dr Emmanuella Zamba, made the appeal on Friday in Lagos at the close of a two-day capacity building for journalists.

The training focused on the Lagos State Social Health Insurance Scheme and was organised by LASHMA with the International Society of Media in Public Health and EngenderHealth Consortium.

Zamba described Ilera Eko as a “guaranteed health” initiative and urged residents to embrace the scheme to enhance their quality of life and longevity.

She said the plan was a highly subsidised social health insurance programme designed by the state government for all Lagos residents.

According to her, residents should not wait for life-threatening emergencies before seeking healthcare solutions.

“It is important that residents set aside a relatively affordable amount to enrol in the state’s health insurance plan.

“Leaving your health to chance can destroy a family overnight; we have heard such stories,” Zamba said.

She warned against situations where patients could not pay hospital bills or women were detained after childbirth due to unpaid fees.

She said: “Let’s not wait until life happens before running helter-skelter for solutions.

“Pick up the insurance plan and be better positioned to meet other financial obligations, including school fees and housing,” she said.

Head of Business Development at LASHMA, Mr Olatunji Rotimi, said the scheme offered flexible premium payment options, including instalments.

He explained that ‘Ilera N’tiwa’ allowed enrollees to join cooperatives and access benefits, including instalment-based premium payments.

Rotimi said the N15,000 Standard Jaara plan was the flagship package, widely subscribed to by residents.

He added that other options included the Standard Plan, Standard Jaara Plus and specialised plans.

“The major objective is to ensure every Lagos resident has access to cost-effective and quality healthcare,” Rotimi said.

He listed benefits to include limited waiting periods, no age restriction, no global financial limit and peace of mind.

Rotimi added that premium payments would boost healthcare funding and accelerate attainment of Universal Health Coverage.

“The overall objective is to achieve Universal Health Coverage for all Lagos residents,” he said.