Most times, we never realise the benefits of having health insurance. People just believe it is meant for just the rich. When in all seriousness, health insurance is meant for everyone and not just a particular social class.
According to the Lagos State administration, health insurance is required for all citizens of the state, regardless of socioeconomic position.
Mr. Hakeem Muri-Okunola, the Lagos State Head of Service, made the announcement at the Lagos State Health Management Agency’s 2022 Ilera Eko Day.
Muri-Okunola stated that the state government was resolved to make healthcare accessible to all citizens in his keynote presentation at the occasion, which saw the unveiling of the Ilera Eko Service Charter, Ilera Eko Enrollee Handbook, and Bill of Rights.
“The Lagos State health insurance scheme is intended for all residents of the state, not just civil servants. Governor Babajide Sanwo-administration Olu’s made the health sector a key point of his administration, and one of the objectives in the health sector is to ensure that all citizens have access to healthcare.
“It is intended for all residents, regardless of socioeconomic level or circumstances. The enrollee handbook and bill of rights will inform beneficiaries of their rights and duties when receiving healthcare.
“Ilera Eko is the Lagos State Social Health Insurance, backed by the Lagos State Health Scheme Law of 2015, which makes it compulsory for all residents of Lagos state to have health insurance, regardless of their socio-economic status, ethnicity, whether they are poor or part of the corporate Lagos, the informal sector, whether you are an adult or a child,” he explained.
Earlier in the ceremony, Prof. Akin Abayomi, the state Commissioner for Health, stated that the government was trying to improve the quality of services at state health institutions.
“Since the inception of the Ilera Eko Social Health Plan, we have made meaningful initiatives toward improving healthcare service delivery on the Scheme,” stated Abayomi, who was represented at the ceremony by Dr. Emmanuella Zamba, General Manager of LASHMA.
“The Agency has enhanced health benefits on the Ilera Eko plan, and numerous provider improvement measures are also being conducted merely to assure that our clients experience exceptional health care.
“Recently, the Agency launched a diaspora plan, a first in the Nigerian Social Health Insurance arena.”
The commissioner stated that the service charter and enrolees manual continue to be a helpful tools for allowing a sure progression toward increasing the quality of services in state facilities.
“The Agency has extremely high expectations as to the good impact the implementation will have on the quality of service that will be offered at our health facilities. “A lot of work needs to be put in to maintain and even raise your level of service charter compliance,” Abayomi remarked.
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