The Lagos State Government says it is working assiduously to curb the rising cases of sudden deaths linked to inaccessibility of healthcare through its social health insurance scheme, popularly known as Ilera Eko, operated by the Lagos State Health Management Agency (LASHMA).
The Permanent Secretary/CEO of LASHMA, Dr Emmanuella Zamba, expressed the government’s concern over avoidable health complications and premature deaths in the state, stressing that the Ilera Eko Scheme is designed to guarantee access to effective, quality and equitable healthcare services, while also providing financial protection against the high cost of medical care for all residents of Lagos State.
Zamba disclosed this during a two-day capacity development programme for health journalists organised by LASHMA in collaboration with the International Society of Media in Public Health (ISMPH) and EngenderHealth, held at the agency’s conference room in Alausa, Ikeja.
She described the Ilera Eko social health insurance scheme as a strategic intervention instituted by the state government to improve quality of life, enhance healthcare access and ultimately boost longevity among residents.
“When you set aside this relatively affordable amount for the scheme, you are guaranteeing healthcare for your family. It also puts you in a better position to plan for other needs such as education and housing, thereby improving your overall quality of life,” she said.
“We have spread our services across Lagos State. There is hardly any part of Lagos where you will not find an accredited facility. Take advantage of this scheme so we can end the inability to access healthcare due to lack of funds. The process is easier now, as payments can be made in instalments.”
Scheme now mandatory
Given its critical role, the Permanent Secretary emphasised that enrollment in Ilera Eko is now mandatory for all residents. She noted that it will serve as a prerequisite for accessing healthcare and other services in state-owned facilities as part of ongoing enforcement measures.
According to her, enforcement will commence with staff of Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) from April. She urged residents yet to enroll to take advantage of the current window period.
Maternal and infant health focus
Zamba further explained that the scheme is structured to reduce maternal and infant mortality by providing comprehensive antenatal and postnatal care services.
“One of the requirements we have introduced is that pregnant women must have attended antenatal care for at least five months. This enables us to identify high-risk cases early and ensure better health outcomes for both mothers and babies,” she said.
She added that caesarean sections are heavily subsidised under the scheme.
“You can have your caesarean section virtually free. Normally, this costs between ₦500,000 and ₦1 million in many facilities, depending on where you go. Under the plan, these services are heavily subsidised once you are enrolled,” she stated.
Flexible packages and diaspora plans
Head of Ilera Eko Medical at LASHMA, Dr Olugbenga Fadipe, said the scheme was introduced to address rising healthcare costs and ensure inclusivity regardless of financial status.
“We have different packages under Ilera Eko, including the Standard Plan, Standard Jaara Plan and Standard Jaara Plus Plan,” he explained.
He added that specialised offerings such as diaspora plans have also been introduced. These include Ilera Eko Home Konnect, which allows Nigerians abroad to purchase health coverage for their loved ones in Lagos, and the Ilera Eko Waka-Well plan designed for visitors travelling into the state.
Financial inclusion for informal sector
Also speaking, Head of Business Development at LASHMA, Mr Olatunji Rotimi, emphasised the scheme’s inclusivity, particularly for those in the informal sector who may struggle with upfront premium payments.
He said a cooperative and multi-purpose society has been established to enable residents to pay premiums in instalments while enjoying additional benefits.
“The cooperative society is not about buying houses or land immediately. It is about ensuring that everyone who feels priced out of the compulsory scheme has the option to pay monthly through the cooperative structure,” he said.
Describing the initiative as a financial inclusion strategy, Rotimi noted that while premium deductions are relatively seamless for civil servants and private-sector employees, collection in the informal sector poses challenges due to the absence of structured income systems.
