SUNRISE NEWS, Lagos, Aug 19, 2020 The Lagos State Health Management Agency (LASHMA) is partnering with the Nigeria Employers Consultative Association (NECA), in its drive towards achieving its mandate of Universal Health Coverage (UHC) for the State.
The Chairman, Lagos State Health Management Agency (LASHMA) Governing Board, Dr. Adetokunbo Alakija at a meeting with the NECA’s Director-General, Dr. Timothy Olawale, at NECA House, Ikeja, said the partnership became necessary in order for the agency to reach the informal sector including the Small and Medium Scale Enterprises (SMEs) in the State.
He said, “Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu considers the Lagos State Health Scheme to be fundamental, as he places high premium on the wellbeing of all residents of the State”.
Dr. Alakija said since good health is germane to national development, he urged individual organisation in the State to enroll its workers on the Lagos State Health Scheme (LSHS). According to him, if workers are healthy, their job performance would be enhanced theirby impacting positively on productivity and more profit for the organisation.
He said the informal sector no doubt constitutes a large percentage in job creation and is therefore important in the economy of the country.
Responding, the Director General, Nigeria Employers Consultative Association, Dr. Timothy Olawale, said the Lagos State Government right from inception has been passionate about the wellbeing of its people and this is reflected in its various programmes, policies, provision of good infrastructure and good service delivery among others.
He said its association would continue to support the Lagos State Government in the provision of Universal Health Coverage for the people adding that aside that the informal sector enrolling their workers on the scheme, the families of the workers also needed to be enrolled in order for the workers to be focussed, dedicated to their duties and not to be distracted by their domestic considerations.
Timothy who lauded the Scheme, promised that he would not only reach the informal sector under NECA family but would also encourage other associations which NECA has link with, to enroll on the Lagos State Health Scheme.
He said promoting good health for the state and nation is key to NECA, therefore, the association would do the needful to support the agency.
A member of LASHMA Board, Mr. Lekan Ewenla, commended the Director General for supporting the Lagos State Government and the Agency in promoting Universal Health Coverage in the State.
He said the payment of medical allowance by employers to their workers does not guarantee access to care as the workers may divert the medical allowance to other pressing needs, but if employers enroll them directly on the Scheme, their access to good healthcare is guaranteed.
Others at the meeting included the Acting General Manager, Lagos State Health Management Agency, Dr. Emmanuella Zamba, LASHMA Head, Business Development and Marketing, Mr. Rotimi Olatunji, Operations, Dr. Olufemi Serrano, Regulations, Dr. Funmi Adeboje and NECA Director, Learning and Projects, Mrs Celine Oni, Deputy Director, Membership Services, Mr. Wale Oyerinde and Deputy Director, Legal, Regulatory and Tax, Mr. Thompson Akpabio.