The Lagos State Governor, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has revealed that pensioners in the state under the Ilera Eko plan will receive one year of free health coverage starting from August 2024.
He explained that the move was meant to ensure that state retirees have access to healthcare after their retirement.
Sanwo-Olu stated this at the official launch of the Ilera Eko Standard Jaara Health Insurance Plan and the commissioning of five virtual booths in the state held on Tuesday at the Lagos Continental Hotel, Victoria Island.
The governor said, "We have enrolled all public servants in the Ilera Eko scheme, with the government covering 75 per cent of their premiums. Starting in August 2024, all Lagos State pensioners will receive free one-year Ilera Eko coverage which will ensure their access to healthcare in retirement. We are doing all these to further our Universal Health Coverage goal."
He further noted that the newly launched Ilera Eko Standard Jaara Health Insurance Plan offers additional benefits and peace of mind by reducing the financial burden of medical bills.
"In this plan, we have heavily subsidised the health insurance premium to ensure that everyone can access healthcare," Sanwo-Olu added.
The governor called on the informal sector, which constituted 70 per cent of the state's population, to enrol on Ilera Eko to reduce out-of-pocket and huge payment of medical bills.
Additionally, the governor said that the state's Health Scheme Law and the National Health Insurance Authority Act have been domesticated and an enforcement team set up to ensure violators of the act are punished.
"I invite the formal sector also, to come on board and ensure that their employees are registered and enrolled on ILERA EKO as this will automatically reduce the expenses of the companies, especially for the payment of medical bills.
"Let me add here that the Enforcement team to handle the implementation of the Lagos State Health Scheme, LSHS Law and the domestication of the National Health Insurance Authority NHIA Act, has been constituted and trained. Even though this administration believes more in enlightenment than enforcement, the law still needs to be implemented and obeyed. Therefore, violators of the law will not go unpunished when the Enforcement takes full effect," Sanwo-Olu said.
He expressed his delight at the implementation and commissioning of the virtual booths, noting that their presence would bring healthcare closer to residents of the state.
The governor said, "During its first Health Insurance Summit, held at the Civic Centre, Victoria Island, Lagos in 2023, the Lagos State Health Management Agency unveiled the Ilera Eko Virtual Booth. Today, I am delighted that five Virtual Booths, which will provide accessible healthcare to people in the informal sector are ready for commissioning.
"These booths are designed to bring healthcare closer to the people and expand the reach of LASHMA's health insurance scheme Ilera Eko, across the state. It is particularly useful for our hardworking market men and women who usually find it difficult to leave their shops and wares to take sometimes long trips to hospitals when they are sick. They will serve as first-line health services in the different informal business clusters around the state.
"I thank the Chairmen of the Local Governments and Local Council Development Areas where these booths are situated and their Supervisors for Health, for their cooperation and support in ensuring the safe and proper installation of these VBOOTHS. I urge you to protect and maintain these facilities for the use of your community. I also call on other LGAs and LCDAs to support LASHMA by facilitating the installation of more of these VBOOTHS in their areas.
"To our market leaders, Iyalojas and Babalojas, I thank you for taking possession of this initiative by mobilising your communities to embrace the life-saving opportunity that these VBOOTHS provide."
He warned against self-medication, stressing that it was injurious to life and assured Lagos residents of his commitment to making healthcare accessible and affordable.
"When you take care of your body, your body will take care of you. Take good care of your health for your benefit and that of your family and ultimately for the good and prosperity of Lagos State," Sanwo-Olu advised.
