….Health scheme enrollees now 40,000 says govt
By Michael Olatunji
LagosStatete First Lady, Dr Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu on Tuesday urged residents to sign up for the Lagos State Health Scheme (LSHS), saying it is in the collective interest of the state and wellbeing of the people for all to join the state’s healthcare financing scheme.
Mrs Sanwo-Olu, spoke at the LTV Blue Roof in Agidingbi, Ikeja during the launch of Ilera Eko Day, a maiden edition of the campaign advocacy which is meant to ensure that more Lagosians, especially those in the private sector join the state health scheme.
Accompanied by wife of the Deputy Governor Mrs Oluremi Hamzat, and hordes of members of the Council of Wives of Lagos State Government Officials (COWLSO), Mrs Sanwo-Olu said the scheme aptly encapsulates the present administration’s commitment to the promotion of Lagosians’ right to health.
She said: “The scheme, which is administered by the Lagos State Health Management Agency (LASHMA), is aimed at ensuring that Lagosians have access to the needed healthcare without suffering financial hardship; close the gap between the demand for health spending and available public resources, as well as reduce the prolonged reliance on out-of-pocket spending by families across the state.
“The evolution of this scheme identifies with the global clarion call to inclusive preventive healthcare under what is termed Universal Health Coverage. This was conceptualized to close glaring gaps and meet the health targets agreed under the Sustainable Development Goals.”
Describing health as a foundational investment in human capital and economic growth, the First Lady said it allows countries to make the most of their strongest asset – human capital, adding: “With good health structure, children are able to go to school and adults are able to go to work.”
She said Ilera Eko would be playing a key role in pursuing the health policy objectives of the T.H.E.M.E.S Agenda by expanding the coverage of the Family Health Strategy and scale up the quality of health services, thereby attracting and retaining qualified health professionals.
She said the harsh lessons of COVID-19 had sparked new urgency around health systems and universal health coverage, saying focus was now shifting towards preventive healthcare as against curative health.
“As we embark on this path to Universal Health Coverage, Ilera Eko is passionately calling us to take responsibility for our health. We are determined to leave no one behind.
“All residents, regardless of socio-economic and ethno-religious identity, including the vulnerable are encouraged to make the right choices by signing up for this scheme because our lives, livelihoods and future depend on it,” the First Lady said.
Earlier, Commissioner for Health, Prof Akin Abayomi said the launch of Ilera Eko marked a distinct milestone in the state government’s effort to ensure the sustained access to quality and affordable healthcare to the teeming population.
He said the state health scheme has captured only 40,000 residents, urging that this is a huge gap considering the population of the state put at over 25 million.
According to him, in recognition of the economic status of many Lagosians, especially the less privileged, the state government is currently free health insurance to residents at N8,500 per annum for individual and N40,000 which covers healthcare spend for a family of six for the same period.
To ensure that quality healthcare is made available to all, Abayomi said the state government has launched a crowd funding programme, called Ilera Eko Healthcare fund, while it also made possible an installment payment plan for those that can not pay embloc, all geared towards providing access for all residents.
On his part, LASHMA Board Chairman, Dr Adetokunbo Alakija said Ilera Eko would be celebrated annually to mark the state’s journey to 100 percent coverage and ensure that all the 25 million population of residents enlist for the state health scheme.
The healthcare services covered under the scheme include outpatient care for common ailments and conditions; maternal, newborn and child care including caesarean section where necessary; access to family planning counseling and services; management of uncomplicated chronic diseases such as hypertension, diabetes, asthma, among others; access to HIV and TB testing services; minor surgeries such as incision drainage, herniography, appendectomy; and health promotion and diseases prevention.
