Lagos State Government has commenced grassroots enrolment of residents in the 20 Local Governments and 37 Local Council Development Areas of the State for the “Ilera Eko” health plan under the Lagos State Health Insurance Scheme.
The Special Adviser, Office of Civic Engagement, Princess Aderemi Adebowale, who flagged off the exercise at Agege Primary Healthcare Centre, Agege, stated that the grassroots sensitisation of the programme was to deliver the “Ilera Eko” health plan to the residents and scale-up enrolment.
Princess Adebowale enjoined the people to own the programme with a view to making it successful, stressing that the present administration is focused on ensuring that residents have access to affordable, quality and equitable healthcare irrespective of their socio-cultural and economic status, towards attaining Universal Health Coverage (UHC) in the State.
She maintained that health remains on the priority list of the State government as encapsulated in the T.H.E.M.E.S Agenda of the present administration led by Governor Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu, appealing to the residents to embrace Ilera Eko social health plan in order to reduce out of pocket payment of medical bills for peace of mind.
Earlier, the General Manager, Lagos State Health Management Agency (LASHMA), Dr. Emmanuella Zamba, said that about 70 per cent of the people pay medical bills out of pocket or by borrowing money when afflicted with severe illness, informing that with N8,500 annual payment, an individual can enjoy Ilera Eko.
She added that a family of six consisting of the father, mother and four children below 18 years can also benefit from the health plan with the payment of N40,000 annually.
“However, in consideration of the economic situation in the country, the Agency has also introduced ‘Ilera Eko Pay Small Small’, whereby with N3,000 or N10,500 paid once, an individual or family of six can have access to healthcare for three months and with the timely payment of the same amount every quarter or N1,000 monthly or N3,500 monthly, individuals or family will enjoy Ilera Eko at any hospital of their choice under the Lagos State Health Scheme”, Dr. Zamba averred.
The Vice-Chairman, Agege Local Government, Mr. Gbenga Abiola, in his goodwill message, appealed to the residents of Agege Community, to embrace the health plan by enrolling on the scheme, adding that although no one prays to be sick but, at times, illness is inevitable.
The highpoint of the event was the raffle draw where the overall winner, Mrs. Abiola Bamigbola, won 50kg of rice with vegetable oil; Ms. Omolola Olusanya, the first runner up won 25kg of rice and vegetable oil while the second runner up, Mr. Segun Toriola, won 25kg of rice. Several consolation prices were also given to other participants at the event.
Present at the sensitisation and enrolment programme were Local Government Officials, Religious groups, Market and Community leaders and members of various associations in the area.
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