… Urges Enrollees To Access Care
The Lagos State Health Management Agency (LASHMA), in its commitment towards ensuring customer satisfaction and feedback from its enrollees, has organised an EKO Social Health Alliance (EKOSHA) town hall meeting with the vulnerable under ILERA EKO Health Insurance in the five Ibile divisions in the State.
The Permanent Secretary, Lagos State Health Management Agency (LASHMA), Dr. Emmanuella Zamba, while flagging off the EKOSHA IBILE divisions town hall meeting at Ikosi-Isheri Local Council Development Area (LCDA) said that it became necessary for the Agency to organise the forum to be abreast of how enrollees are being treated while accessing care at the hospitals, understand the challenges they face and proffer solutions.
She added that the feedback from enrollees will also enable LASHMA to ensure better planning, implementation and monitoring processes.
Highlighting the importance of feedback on the Scheme, Dr. Zamba said: “Your experiences and opinions are essential in helping us to understand the needs of our enrollees and make positive changes to our Scheme. We are here to listen to you and we welcome your insights to create a better healthcare experience for everyone involved”.
Commending the Governor of Lagos State, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu for dedicating One per cent of the Consolidated Revenue Fund (CFR) as an Equity Fund to cater for the enrolment of the vulnerable on the Scheme and approving Equity Fund as first line charge, the Permanent Secretary said this has demonstrated the commitment of the Lagos State Government in providing equitable healthcare services and ensure the good health of every Lagos resident irrespective of their socio-economic differences.
Dr. Zamba urged the vulnerable enrollees to shun self-medication and drug abuse. Rather, she implored them to access care whenever they are ill, adding that the Agency is fully committed to ensuring that enrollees receive the highest quality of care so that they can live a healthy life.
She advised enrollees to ensure that they collect their drugs at any of the 322 community Pharmacies closer to their homes, shops or markets without paying any additional money for covered drugs.
The Permanent Secretary said that if the enrollees encounter any challenge at the hospital, they should call LASHMA 24/7 Customer Service Number 0800- ILERAEKO (0800- 46372356) or send a Whatsapp message ONLY to 07045358275 or 07046160051.
She also commended the healthcare providers for the provision of quality healthcare and attention given to the vulnerable enrollees as well as their unwavering support towards achieving Universal Health Coverage (UHC) in Lagos State.
Dr. Zamba also appreciated the Executive Chairman, Ikosi-Isheri Local Council Development Area (LCDA), Princess Abolanle Bada and other Local Government Chairmen for their support towards the Agency and also for ensuring that the less privileged in their various communities have access to quality healthcare.
She added that LASHMA would continually ensure that the vulnerable residents in Ikeja and other divisions in the State are enrolled under EKOSHA to enjoy the good gesture of Mr. Governor.
The Executive Chairman of Ikosi-Isheri LCDA, Princess Abolanle Bada, in her remarks, appreciated LASHMA for giving the vulnerable the opportunity for their voices to be heard and also contributing to the development of the Scheme.
She applauded Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu for providing free health insurance to the vulnerable in the State, adding that her LCDA has consistently ensured that every resident in the communities enrolled on the health insurance plan.
Princess Bada urged the enrollees to share their testimonials with other residents in their various communities as this would also improve the level of awareness and the need to enrol on ILERA EKO.
The Baale of Bariga, Chief Waheed Owodunni Agiri, on behalf of other Baales at the event commended the Lagos State Government for being so passionate about the health of its residents, especially the vulnerable who cannot afford to pay the huge medical bills. He added that with the free health insurance plan, the vulnerable also enjoy the dividends of democracy and feel not neglected.
He advised the enrollees to do all that the Agency has advised them to do and take their health very seriously. He promised that all the Baales in attendance would spread the good news of ILERA EKO to all the residents living in their communities.
Enrollees from the five divisions – Ikeja, Badagry, Ikorodu, Lagos and Epe – shared their testimonials on the various benefits enjoyed by the Scheme. They commended their various providers for treating them very well and also called on the Agency to improve awareness of ILERA EKO as well as constitute monitoring committees to check a few of the providers which are performing below expectations.
Other Baales at the event held in Ikeja Division were Baale Bajulaiye, Chief Rolialahu Yinusa, Baale Akoka, Chief Junaid Shakiru and Baale Ifelodun, Chief Olakunle Lopez.
