Lagos moves to deepen mandatory health insurance, opens new ILERA EKO centre in Surulere

By Chioma Obinna

The Lagos State Government has intensified its drive towards Universal Health Coverage (UHC) with the commissioning of a new ILERA EKO Surulere Office, a move aimed at bringing health insurance services closer to residents and accelerating enrolment into the state’s mandatory social health insurance scheme.

The Lagos State Health Management Agency (LASHMA) said the new one-stop centre is part of a broader strategy to eliminate barriers to healthcare access and ensure that no resident is denied medical care because of financial constraints.

Commissioning the facility in Surulere, the Permanent Secretary of LASHMA, Dr. Emmanuella Zamba, described the office as another milestone in Lagos’ quest to achieve universal health coverage through expanded access to affordable, equitable and quality healthcare.

Located within the premises of the Lagos State Building Control Agency (LASBCA), the centre will enable residents to register for health insurance, update their records, resolve complaints, switch healthcare providers and access other ILERA EKO services closer to their communities.

According to Zamba, the office represents more than an administrative expansion.
“This office is more than a physical structure. It is a symbol of hope, accessibility, partnership and progress in our journey towards universal health coverage,” she said.

She noted that since commencing full operations in 2020, LASHMA has continued to expand healthcare access through innovative programmes designed to increase enrolment and improve service delivery.

The initiatives include ILERA N’ TIWA Cooperative, ILERA EASY PAY, ILERA EKO Telemedicine Service, ILERA IBILE community engagement programme, and LASHMA Assistance in Distress (LASHMA-AID) for emergency healthcare support.

Zamba disclosed that, in addition to divisional offices across the state’s five IBILE divisions, the agency now operates 40 ILERA EKO kiosks and has deployed community mobilisers across Lagos to take health insurance services to residents.

She reminded Lagosians that the Executive Order signed by Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu on July 16, 2024, makes social health insurance mandatory for every resident of the state.

“The Lagos State Government remains committed to ensuring that no resident is denied access to quality healthcare because of huge medical bills or financial challenges,” she said.

She appealed to traditional rulers, religious leaders, market associations, transport unions, artisans and community leaders to support government efforts by encouraging residents to enrol in the scheme.
“We need every household in Lagos to embrace ILERA EKO. Universal health coverage can only become a reality when every resident is protected by health insurance,” she added.

The traditional institution also pledged support for the initiative.
Speaking through the Lisa of Ikate, Chief Suab Olayemi, the Oba of Ikate, Oba Lateef Atanda Adams, commended the Lagos State Government for expanding access to social health insurance.

He described health insurance as an essential safeguard against rising healthcare costs and urged residents to take advantage of the new enrolment centre.

“Health insurance is no longer optional. It is an important mechanism for protecting families from catastrophic healthcare expenses and out-of-pocket payments,” he said.

The monarch pledged that traditional rulers would intensify awareness campaigns across communities to ensure wider enrolment.
Speaking, the Bashorun of Ojora and Iganmu Kingdom, Chief Hakeem Ojora, described the new office as a welcome development that would reduce the burden residents’ face in accessing affordable healthcare services.
He assured LASHMA of sustained support in mobilising residents to embrace the ILERA EKO scheme.

Also speaking, Chairman of the Community Development Committee (CDC), Surulere Constituency I, Hon. Wemimo Odumosu, said the facility would strengthen healthcare delivery at the grassroots.

He pledged that community development associations would work closely with LASHMA to drive public awareness and increase enrolment.

To encourage community participation, Chairman of the Farmers Association, Coker-Aguda LCDA, Mr. Adebowale Dawodu, was named an ILERA EKO Champion in recognition of his role in promoting the scheme. He promised to mobilise more farmers and residents to enrol, describing health insurance as a critical investment in family wellbeing.