BY NGOZI ONYEAKUSI

The Lagos State Health Management Agency (LASHMA) has urged residents  of Lagos who are yet to enroll in the Ilera Eko health insurance scheme to do so promptly, reiterating that the health insurance under Ilera Eko is not just a social programme but a health insurance scheme that is mandatory for all residents and a legal obligation backed by the laws of Lagos State.

Speaking at a two-day workshop for journalists on the Lagos Health Scheme (LSHS) and Ilera Eko in Lagos, the Coordinator, Regulations at LASHMA, Mr. Tosin Awosika noted that the Lagos Health Scheme, which established Ilera Eko, makes  health insurance compulsory for every resident of the state.

The workshop was organised by LASHMA in collaboration with International Society for Media in Public Health (ISMPH) and the EngenderHealth Consortium Partnership.

According to him, the mandatory nature of the scheme is designed to ensure universal health coverage and protect families from catastrophic health spending.

He noted that while the government has put the legal and structural framework in place, the success of the scheme depends largely on the willingness of residents to enroll.

“The sustainability of Ilera Eko is tied to the number of people who sign up. Health insurance works better when more people participate. It is not optional; it is a legal requirement for all residents of Lagos State,” Awosika said.

He stressed that enforcement mechanisms are being strengthened to ensure compliance, adding that employers, individuals and families are expected to enroll under the scheme as stipulated by law.

Awosika further highlighted that Ilera Eko offers access to a wide range of healthcare services including primary care, specialist consultations, maternal and child health services, surgeries and emergency care at accredited facilities across the state.

The workshop, he said, was organised to equip journalists with accurate information about the scheme, enabling them to play a critical role in public enlightenment and advocacy.

Participants were taken through the legal provisions of the Lagos Health Scheme, enrollment processes, benefits packages and regulatory guidelines governing healthcare providers under Ilera Eko.

Stakeholders at the event emphasized that making Ilera Eko mandatory is aimed at reducing out-of-pocket spending, preventing medical-induced poverty and ensuring that no resident is denied quality healthcare due to inability to pay.

With enforcement gaining momentum, LASHMA urged residents who are yet to enroll to do so promptly, reiterating that health insurance under Ilera Eko is not just a social programme but a legal obligation backed by the laws of Lagos State.