The Lagos State Governor, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has said the residents of the state deserve the best health packages.
The governor who was represented by his wife, Dr Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu, said this at the unveiling of the revised package for the Lagos State Health Scheme on Wednesday.
He said his administration would continue to prioritise the health need of the residents of the state.
“Since we assumed office, we have been unrelenting in our quest to create a healthy Lagos. Today, we are here to unveil the new llera Eko packages. The improvement to the health packages is coming after benefit several reviews of the previous health packages, in the face of new economic realities and an evaluation of health needs.
“You will all agree with me that these improvements are indications of our concern for the people of Lagos and commitment to the fact that Lagosians deserve the best of everything including health packages.
“This administration has continued to support the operations of ILERA EKO by subsidising the premium of public servants participating in the scheme through paying 75 per cent of the total premium. We have disbursed N750m equity fund to pay insurance premiums for the vulnerable residents of the state. We are looking to make the equity fund a first-line charge which will improve the health of the vulnerable in the state as we also improve their lives through social protection interventions,” Sanwo-Olu said.
The governor added that the state was working to improve the quality of services provided in public health facilities by embarking on a Public-Private Partnership for the management and maintenance of various Primary Healthcare facilities across the state.
The State Commissioner for Health, Prof. Akin Abayomi, said the new health insurance plans were needed after listening to feedback from residents.
He said, “The new plans are slightly more elaborate and provide a little more sophisticated tests and treatments. The feedback we got from Lagosians is that the plan was too narrow in its bouquet of services. We are now offering Ilera Eko standard, Ilera Eko plus, Ilera Eko for the elderly and the Ìlera Eko for the Diaspora.
“We are constantly expanding the tests available, X-ray, CT scans, eye service, dental service, surgeries, family planning, anti-natal care, immunisation, treatment of emergencies, minor surgeries. So, the plans are becoming more elaborate; we don’t want anyone living in Lagos to be without health insurance.”
The General Manager of LASHMA, Dr Emmanuella Zamba, said the scheme recorded a 46 per cent increase in 2021 due to the conduct of targeted demand generation initiatives.
“The Lagos State Health Scheme is mandatory for all residents of the state; all employees in the public and private sectors, including the self-employed and the unemployed. The overall goal of the scheme is to ensure all residents of the state have unhindered access to quality health care services,” she said.
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