By Editor
The Lagos State Government has intensified efforts to expand access to healthcare with the commissioning of a new ILERA EKO office in Surulere, aimed at bringing health insurance services closer to residents and accelerating enrolment into the state’s mandatory social health insurance scheme.
The Lagos State Health Management Agency (LASHMA) said the new one-stop centre is part of its strategy to remove barriers to healthcare access and ensure that no resident is denied medical care because of financial constraints.
Commissioning the facility, the Permanent Secretary of LASHMA, Dr. Emmanuella Zamba, described the office as another milestone in the state’s drive to achieve Universal Health Coverage (UHC).
Located within the premises of the Lagos State Building Control Agency (LASBCA), the office will provide residents with easier access to health insurance registration, enrolment, record updates, complaint resolution, hospital changes and other ILERA EKO services.
“This office is more than a physical structure. It is a symbol of hope, accessibility, partnership and progress in our journey towards universal health coverage,” Zamba said.
She noted that since LASHMA commenced full operations in 2020, the agency has continued to expand healthcare access through initiatives designed to improve service delivery and increase health insurance coverage.
According to her, these initiatives include ILERA N’ TIWA Cooperative, ILERA EASY PAY, ILERA EKO Telemedicine Service, ILERA IBILE community engagement programme and LASHMA Assistance in Distress (LASHMA-AID), which provides emergency healthcare support.
Zamba said the agency now operates divisional offices across the five IBILE divisions, 40 ILERA EKO kiosks and a network of community mobilisers to bring health insurance services closer to Lagos residents.
She also reminded residents that Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s Executive Order of July 16, 2024, made social health insurance mandatory for everyone living in Lagos State.
“The Lagos State Government remains committed to ensuring that no resident is denied access to quality healthcare because of huge medical bills or financial challenges,” she said.
She called on traditional rulers, religious leaders, market associations, transport unions, artisans and community groups to support the campaign by encouraging residents to enrol.
“We need every household in Lagos to embrace ILERA EKO. Universal health coverage can only become a reality when every resident is protected by health insurance,” she added.
Representing the Oba of Ikate, Oba Lateef Atanda Adams, the Lisa of Ikate, Chief Suab Olayemi, commended the state government for expanding access to social health insurance.
He urged residents to take advantage of the new office, stressing that health insurance remains one of the most effective ways to protect families from rising healthcare costs and catastrophic out-of-pocket spending.
“Health insurance is no longer optional. It is an important mechanism for protecting families from catastrophic healthcare expenses and out-of-pocket payments,” he said.
He pledged the support of the traditional institution in mobilising communities to enrol in the ILERA EKO scheme.
Also speaking, the Bashorun of Ojora and Iganmu Kingdom, Chief Hakeem Ojora, described the new office as a welcome development that would improve access to affordable healthcare and reduce the burden residents face when seeking medical care.
He assured LASHMA of continued support in mobilising people within the community to embrace the scheme.
Chairman of the Community Development Committee (CDC), Surulere Constituency I, Hon. Wemimo Odumosu, described the office as a timely intervention that would strengthen healthcare delivery at the grassroots.
He said community development associations would work closely with LASHMA to create awareness and encourage more residents to enrol.
In recognition of his efforts in promoting the scheme, the Chairman of the Farmers Association, Coker-Aguda LCDA, Mr. Adebowale Dawodu, was named an ILERA EKO Champion.
Dawodu pledged to mobilise more farmers and residents to enrol, describing health insurance as a vital investment in the health and financial security of families.
