LASHMA engages civil society on mandatory health insurance drive

… intensifies drive for inclusive healthcare coverage

The Lagos State Health Management Agency (LASHMA) on Friday engaged Civil Society Organisations under the Lagos State Civil Society Partnership (LACSOP) on the implementation of the Executive Order on compulsory enrolment into the State Social Health Insurance Scheme, Ilera Eko, at a stakeholders’ meeting held in Ikeja.

Speaking at the event, the Permanent Secretary of LASHMA, Dr. Emmanuella Zamba, described the Executive Order on mandatory social health insurance enrolment as a major milestone in Lagos State’s journey toward achieving Universal Health Coverage, noting that the government remains committed to protecting residents from catastrophic health expenditures.

Zamba stated that the Lagos State Government had demonstrated strong commitment to building a sustainable and inclusive healthcare system through the domestication of the National Health Insurance Act.

She explained that the engagement with civil society organisations was designed to educate stakeholders on the significance of mandatory social health insurance enrolment, while also improving awareness about the benefits of participating in the Ilera Eko Scheme.

The Permanent Secretary disclosed that enforcement activities had already commenced earlier in the year following the inauguration of an enforcement team. She added that the implementation strategy had been carefully structured into three phases to ensure broad-based coverage and compliance across the state.

Describing Civil Society Organisations as critical partners in the success of the scheme, Zamba said their platforms remain vital for advocacy, awareness creation and community mobilisation, stressing that health insurance should not be viewed merely as a government programme, but as an important social protection mechanism for safeguarding residents’ health and financial wellbeing.

She further revealed that special attention was being given to vulnerable groups, including youths, persons living with disabilities, and survivors of domestic and sexual violence, as the government continues to pursue an inclusive and people-centred healthcare system.

In his remarks, the Chairman of Lagos Civil Society Partnership, Barrister Ayo Adebusoye, reflected on the progress recorded in the Lagos healthcare system over the years, attributing many of the achievements to leadership continuity, institutional commitment and the establishment of structured service standards across the state.