Why we are providing free health insurance for residents of Eti-Osa — By Gbolahan Yishawu

Health is one of the clearest tests of whether public service has meaning in the everyday life of the citizen. A person may not immediately understand a motion on the floor of the House. They may not follow every debate on policy, budgetary allocation or public finance, but they understand the difference between being able to take a sick child to hospital and having to postpone treatment. They understand the fear that comes with an unexpected diagnosis and the quiet pain of watching a manageable medical condition worsen because timely medical attention is beyond reach.

I believe access to healthcare should be available to everyone at an affordable cost, irrespective of class. I understand the anxiety of having to choose between a visit to the hospital and other pressing needs, especially among vulnerable residents. This is why I have, over the years, championed different programmes and initiatives to improve health conditions and outcomes for everyone, particularly the vulnerable members of our society.

For our people in Eti-Osa Constituency II, these programmes include free annual medical check-ups, breast and cervical cancer screening and vaccinations, dental care and surgery, as well as eye examinations, cataract surgery and the provision of eyeglasses where needed. These programmes have been implemented consistently every year over the past decade.

On the floor of the Lagos State House of Assembly, I have proposed various initiatives to widen access to healthcare for Lagosians. I campaigned for a health insurance scheme and vigorously supported it following its adoption by the Lagos State Ministry of Health. I also moved a motion for free rotavirus vaccines for young children to protect them against diarrhoea. I am glad that, following the motion and the House of Assembly’s resolution, the initiative was adopted as a Lagos State Government policy, benefiting thousands of young children. The Lagos Patient Bill of Rights, which I proposed, is also currently under consideration by the House.

I believe representation must be felt in the everyday lives of the people. While our debates, motions and decisions in the House matter because they enable us to address fundamental issues, they must ultimately connect with the needs of the people we represent. The question has always been: what solutions can I offer that will directly improve people’s lives and make their burdens lighter? That question inspired the two-year free health insurance programme for residents of Eti-Osa Constituency II. For me, reaching the programme’s initial target of 5,000 residents is not simply about achieving an enrolment figure; it represents people whose health and peace of mind deserve our attention. We are grateful for the privilege and opportunity to provide this support.

This initiative builds on our long-term commitment to making healthcare accessible to the people. Our goal is to create a more dependable pathway through which residents can seek medical attention when they need it. The programme offers a practical starting point by removing the cost of enrolment for beneficiaries while helping them become familiar with a system that many have not used or do not fully understand. In doing so, it addresses the twin challenges of affordability and awareness.

For those who have enrolled in the scheme, the two-year coverage commenced on October 10. Beneficiaries can now access a defined range of services, including general and specialist consultations, medical tests, dental and eye care, minor surgeries and other covered treatments. Maternity benefits include antenatal care, drugs, scans and delivery services, alongside 28 days of care for newborns, subject to the terms and limits of the package.

We hope that enrolment in the scheme will give families greater confidence to seek medical care. A mother with a sick child needs more than reassuring words. A pregnant woman worried about the cost of delivery needs more than promises. An elderly resident who cannot afford treatment needs a practical route to care. I want parents to focus on getting their children treated rather than worrying about the cost. I want pregnant women to approach childbirth with less anxiety. I want elderly residents in our constituency to seek medical attention without feeling that every request for help places an unbearable burden on their families. If our work helps a mother obtain care, an elderly resident receive treatment with dignity, or a family face a difficult moment with greater reassurance, then we have succeeded in giving representation its proper meaning.

The Eti-Osa I want to help build is a community where residents have greater opportunities to live well. I want children to learn and thrive. I want young people to acquire useful skills and pursue meaningful livelihoods. I want traders, artisans and working families to have a stronger foundation for the future they are trying to build. Health belongs at the centre of that vision.

Our healthcare interventions sit alongside education support, skills acquisition and information and communications technology initiatives as part of a broader commitment to residents’ wellbeing and opportunities. I want our residents to feel supported, not forgotten. I want families to have more room to hope and less reason to fear. Ultimately, the future I seek for Eti-Osa should not be measured only by projects completed or programmes announced, but by the difference those efforts make in people’s lives.

My appeal to residents is simple: if you have enrolled, make use of your health insurance cover. Familiarise yourself with the services available, know your designated healthcare provider, and seek care promptly when you need it. If you require information about enrolment or how to use the scheme, please contact our constituency office.

Let us work together to make good health a shared priority in every household in Eti-Osa. I remain committed to making wellbeing a central part of our shared future.

Ilera l’oro — health is wealth.

Gbolahan Olusegun Yishawu, an engineer, is a member of the Lagos State House of Assembly representing Eti-Osa Constituency II and a candidate in the 2027 elections.