In its efforts to strengthen healthcare delivery and improve access to quality medicines dispensing for Ilera Eko and Eko Social Health Alliance (EKOSHA) enrollees, the Lagos State Government has reviewed the Drug Access Expansion (DAE) Programme.
The Permanent Secretary, Lagos State Health Management Agency (LASHMA), Dr Emmanuella Zamba, made this disclosure at the Drug Access Expansion (DAE) Programme Review held at the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI), Alausa, Ikeja.
She expressed the agency’s commitment to remain relevant in making healthcare delivery more accessible, efficient and seamless for residents.
Dr Zamba disclosed that LASHMA in April 2024, conceived the DAE programme following recurring complaints from enrolees regarding non-availability of prescribed medications and incomplete dispensing of drugs at healthcare facilities.
She said the DAE programme is a strategic intervention aimed at improving access to essential medicines and ensuring that enrolees receive complete, timely and uninterrupted pharmaceutical care under the Ilera Eko health insurance programme.
The Permanent Secretary revealed that in order for LASHMA to obtain direct feedback on the experiences of the enrolees under the DAE programme and monitor its impact, the agency engaged an independent consultant six months after the commencement of the programme, conducted internal assessments and customer satisfaction surveys.
She pledged that the agency would not relent in introducing strategies that would assist in improving healthcare outcomes and enhance patient satisfaction across the State.
Dr Zamba disclosed that Lagos State has continued to lead healthcare innovation and social health insurance implementation in Nigeria, adding that lessons from the Drug Access Expansion initiative could serve as a model for other States in the country.
While applauding providers’ support, diligence and efficiency, she said that community pharmacies and healthcare facilities remain key stakeholders in the success of the programme because of their direct engagement with patients and understanding of operational realities. She solicited for more cooperation from the providers in order to ensure the sustainability of the health insurance scheme and that Lagos State Government achieves Universal Health Coverage (UHC).
The Permanent Secretary implored community pharmacies to actively participate in the review meeting organised to critically assess the implementation of the programme and develop practical solutions to improve operational efficiency as well as ensure that enrolees have access to covered drugs without stress and paying out-of-pocket.
She opined that recommendations and practical insights from providers would play a critical role in redesigning the programme into a more effective, customers and providers-friendly model. She therefore assured providers that observations, suggestions and recommendations arising from the review meeting, would be carefully considered and integrated into the ongoing reforms by the agency aimed at strengthening the programme.
The Registrar, Pharmacy Council of Nigeria (PCN), Pharm. Babashehu Ahmed, commended LASHMA for its unwavering commitment towards strenghtening access to quality healthcare services and improving medicine availability for enrolees in Lagos State.
The Registrar, represented by the Director, PCN, Pharm. Dr Taiwo Filusi, applauded the integration of community pharmacies under the Ilera Eko healthcare delivery system adding that the initiative, no doubt, would continue to improve accessibility, convenience and efficiency in pharmaceutical service delivery across the State.
The Registrar noted that the review offered stakeholders an opportunity to assess progress made under the programme, identify challenges, share lessons learned and develop practical strategies for improved implementation and sustainability. He reaffirmed the Council’s support to initiatives that would promote quality pharmaceutical practice, regulatory compliance, patient safety, delivery of safe, effective and quality pharmaceutical services to the residents.
The Executive Secretary, Health Facility Monitoring and Accreditation Agency (HEFAMAA), Dr Victoria Egunjobi, also applauded LASHMA for integrating community pharmacies into the social health insurance scheme and sustaining efforts towards improving healthcare delivery. She added that partnerships and collaborations among stakeholders remain critical to ensuring access to quality healthcare services and safe medications for residents.
Egunjobi described the meeting as a strategic platform to collectively evaluate the strengths and challenges of the programme. She expressed optimism that continued collaboration would further improve healthcare outcomes and patient satisfaction in Lagos State.
The Regional Manager, Southwest, Society for Family Health (SFH), Mrs Jennifer Ladokun, on behalf of the partners that sponsored the review meeting, commended LASHMA for expanding access to affordable healthcare services and strengthening health insurance coverage through partnerships.
She reaffirmed the commitment of SFH and ACIOE Foundation, to supporting Lagos State in achieving equitable healthcare access, stressing that collaborations among Government institutions, healthcare providers and development partners remain crucial to achieving improved health outcomes and advancing Universal Health Coverage.
