…Champions Pledge To Increase Uptake
The Lagos State House of Assembly (LAHA) and the Health Management Agency (LASHMA), in their commitment to ensure that Lagos residents enrol on ILERA EKO Health Insurance Plan, especially at the grassroots, have organised a two-day orientation retreat on the importance of Universal Health Coverage and ILERA EKO, for the 57 Chairmen in the various Local Government Areas/Local Council Development Areas in the State.
The retreat was aimed at providing a thorough understanding of the Lagos State Health Scheme Law of 2015, NHIA Act 2022 and the new Executive Order. It also sought to secure commitments from the Chairmen to support ILERA EKO’s implementation and promote health insurance as a means to enhance and sustain the Primary Healthcare System.
The Agency during the retreat held recently at Lagos Continental Hotel, Victoria Island, also inducted the Lagos State House of Assembly Committee Chairman on Local Government Administration and Community Affairs, Hon. Sanni Okanlawon Ganiyu, as ILERA EKO Ambassador and the 57 Chairmen as ILERA EKO Champions as well as 15 Chairmen as EKO Social Health Alliance (EKOSHA) Icons.
The Chairman, House Committee on Health Services who was the convener of the retreat, Hon. Lawal Musibau Aina, declaring the two-day retreat open, implored the Chairmen to assist the State in promoting ILERA EKO, stressing that with Health Insurance coverage for the residents, the State will have healthy people and healthy communities and this will in turn increase the economy of the State. He said, “The onus lies on our Executive Chairmen in the State to support this administration in the journey of achieving Universal Health Coverage (UHC) in the State”.
Commending Governor Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu for signing the Executive Order, Honourable Lawal assured that the House will continue to do its best to ensure that they support the Agency so that it will continue to perform its mandate, provide affordable and quality healthcare to all the residents in the State irrespective of their socio-economic status.
The Chairman, House Committee on Local Government Administration and Community Affairs, Hon. Sanni Okanlawon Ganiyu, in his special remarks, appreciated LASHMA for organising the retreat. He said that the retreat has exposed participants to the challenges hindering our healthcare services and has also provided immediate and long-term solutions.
He implored the Local Government Chairmen to implement the resolutions agreed on at the forum, reposition the Primary Health Centers (PHCs) and support LASHMA in providing seamless healthcare services to the people especially at the grassroots. Honourable Sanni added that the House of Assembly led by the Speaker, Rt. Hon. Mudashiru Ajayi Obasa, will support the State in ensuring that everyone is enrolled on the Lagos State Social Health Insurance Scheme.
The Special Adviser on Health, Dr. Kemi Ogunyemi, in her remarks, said that the Governor of Lagos State, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu is committed to improving the quality of lives of Lagos residents as demonstrated in his T.H.E.M.E.S PLUS Agenda, coupled with his unwavering support for residents’ welfare through health insurance as a mechanism to institutionalise a social safety net, inclusiveness and promotion of health equality, hence the need for him to sign the Executive Order in July 2024.
She commended Mr. Governor for the approval of the Equity Fund as a firstline charge, adding that this will give opportunities to the vulnerable to have access to equitable healthcare services. She added that a lot of lives have been saved and families have been lifted out of poverty as a result of the social health insurance coverage provided by LASHMA.
The Board Chairman, LASHMA, Dr. Adebayo Adedewe said that LASHMA is tasked with the mandate to implement the Lagos State Health Scheme (LSHS) and ensure that every Lagos resident has access to quality and affordable healthcare services. He added that the signing of the Executive Order by the Governor on the domestication of the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA) Act has further strengthened the implementation of the LSHS.
Dr. Adedewe disclosed that the Agency also plays a critical role in implementing the Basic Healthcare Provision Fund (BHCPF) thereby serving as a vital tool for directing financial resources into the Primary Healthcare Centres (PHC) and improving the quality of services provided at the grassroots level.
He implored the Chairmen to engage residents, foster trust and promote the benefits of the Lagos State Health Scheme in order to broaden health insurance coverage and make Universal Health Coverage (UHC) a reality in the State.
The Permanent Secretary, Lagos State Health Management Agency (LASHMA), Dr. Emmanuella Zamba, earlier in her welcome address, appreciated the Executive Chairmen for attending the retreat. She added that their attendance is a clear demonstration of their unwavering commitment to advancing the health and well-being of their respective communities, dedication to the people of Lagos State and shaping the healthcare landscape of the State.
Dr. Zamba sought for the collaboration and support of the Chairmen as leaders in their various LGAs/LCDAs following the mandate of ensuring that no one is left behind and ensuring that UHC is achieved. According to her, UHC is a powerful tool for fostering healthier communities, reducing poverty, contributing to the economic and social development of the State.
The Chairman of Conference 57 Chairmen, Hon. Kolade Alabi, represented by the Secretary, Hon. Rasaq Ajala, applauded LASHMA for organising the retreat aimed at better educating the Chairmen to have a broad knowledge on the LSHS Law, NHIA Act, Executive Order as well as the benefits of enrolling on the Lagos State Social Health Insurance Plan.
Hon. Alabi implored the Chairmen to work hand in hand with LASHMA to roll out ILERA EKO in their various LGAs/ LCDAs. Affirming that the Local Governments are the closest to the people, he pledged that the Chairmen will work and intensify their efforts in ensuring an uptake in the enrollment drive so that the vision of the Agency is realised.
The 12 points resolutions in the communique issued at the end of the retreat emphasised the need for LGA/LCDA Chairmen to purchase ILERA EKO plans for vulnerable constituents and secure equity fund approval for sustainability. It also highlighted the importance of partnerships with corporate organisations, public-private collaborations to upgrade healthcare facilities, and engaging CDAs/CDC members as ILERA EKO Champions to drive enrollment.
Other recommendations included incorporating alternative medicine, expanding the ambulance network, improving coordination between Health Districts and LGA/LCDA Chairmen and partnering with the Conference 57 PRO to assist in driving awareness and uptake of ILERA EKO in their constituencies.
Dignitaries at the event included the Permanent Secretaries, Ministry of Local Government, Community Affairs and Rural Development, Mrs. Kikelomo Bolarinwa; Health District II, Dr. Oludayo Lajide; Health District III, Dr. Monsurat Adeleke; Health District IV, Dr. Abimbola Bowale; Health District V, Dr. Oladapo Asiyanbi and Health District VI, Dr. Abimbola Mabogunje as well as LASHMA partner that sponsored the event, the United States for International Aid (USAID) Local Health System and Sustainability Programme, led by its Chief of Party, Dr. Bolanle Olusola-Faleye.
