Ilera Eko Health scheme: LASHMAN educates Ikorodu on benefits of health insurance

Bimbo Babatunde

The Lagos State Health Management Agency (LASHMA), in conjunction with the Office of Civic Engagement has sensitised Ikorodu residents on the benefit of Lagos State Health Insurance Scheme (Ilera Eko).

Special Adviser, Office of Civic Engagement, Princess Aderemi Adebowale, said health insurance is a way of paying for medical bills and health care costs and urged residents of Ikorodu to key into it.

According to Adebowale, the intention was to deliver the insurance scheme to the citizens and for the people to own the programme with a view to making it resoundingly successful.

She stated that the second pillar in the developmental plan of the administration of Gov. Babajide  Sanwo-Olu, as encapsulated in the T.H.E.M.E.S Agenda is on health and the environment.

According to her, all around the globe, health remains on the priority list of every government at all levels and Lagos state cannot afford to be an exception. She said: “A healthy nation, it is said, is a wealthy Nation”.

“I am highly delighted to welcome everyone to this sensitisation programme in collaboration with LASHMA and Ilera Eko in the 20 Local Government Areas of the State.

“This sensitization, we are starting today will go to all the 20 LGAs to encourage more people especially at the grassroots to embrace the insurance policy facilitated by this administration.

“The intention is to deliver the scheme to the citizens and for the people to own the programme with a view to making it resoundingly successful.”

Adebowale added that the administration of Gov. Sanwo-Olu is focussed on ensuring that all the residents of Lagos State, have access to quality, equitable and affordable healthcare regardless of their socio-cultural and economic status, towards the attainment of Universal Health Coverage (UHC) in the State.

She explained that the UHC necessitated the government to embark on the building and renewal of health facilities all around the State and the continuous initiation and promotion of various intervention programmes which include the Lagos State Health Insurance Scheme also known as ‘Ilera Eko’.

She said there was no doubt that health insurance is new in Nigeria but the journey of health insurance in Lagos State started over six years ago with the signing of the Lagos State Health Law in 2015, while access to care commenced in 2020.

“Basically, Ladies and Gentlemen, health insurance is a way of paying for medical bills and health care costs.

“Most people can’t pay for all their health care out-of-pocket.

“Health Insurance is therefore the way to go in making it easier to pay our health care bills and help us get the care we need which is the practice in many of the advanced and developed worlds today,” she said.

Chairman, Ikorodu Local Government, Mr Wasiu Adesina, in his remarks praised the governor for making the health sector a very important focal point of his administration and promised to support the agency on his drive to project Ilera Eko health plan.

He said the council would support the agency by purchasing 20 forms and distribute among the community development association, market men and women and political loyalist.

“I thanked the Gov. this kind gesture and promised to support the agency by obtaining 20 forms and distribute it among the residents,” the council boss said.

Alhaja Taofikat Allynson, the Iyaloja of Ikorodu who a beneficiary of the Ilera Eko commended Lagos State government for was initiating such program and urged market men and women to key into it.

The Ayangbunren of Ikorodu, Oba Kabiru Shotobi, represented by Chief Kayode Olomo, said he has benefitted immensely in the programme and appealed to the local government to also establish health trust fund to support vulnerable in the society.