SANWO-OLU LAUNCHES ILERA EKO ‘STANDARD JAARA’ HEALTH INSURANCE PLAN
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Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu has officially launched the ILERA EKO Standard Jaara Health Insurance Plan and commissioned five ILERA EKO Virtual Health Booths in a landmark event held at the Lagos Continental Hotel today.
The event, which marked a significant milestone in the state’s healthcare landscape, aimed at enhancing healthcare accessibility and affordability for Lagos residents.
Governor Sanwo-Olu, in his address, highlighted the administration’s dedication to improving health outcomes as part of the T.H.E.M.E.S Plus Development Agenda. He emphasised that all public servants are enrolled in the ILERA EKO scheme, with the government subsidising 75% of their premiums, adding that from August 2024, all Lagos State pensioners will receive free one-year coverage under the ILERA EKO plan to ensure their access to healthcare in retirement.
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He disclosed that the new ILERA EKO Standard Jaara Health Insurance Plan offers additional benefits and reduces the financial burden of medical bills. The Governor urged both the informal and formal sectors to enrol in the scheme, emphasising that the subsidised premiums make healthcare accessible for everyone.
Governor Sanwo-Olu explained that the five ILERA EKO Virtual Health Booths are designed to bring healthcare closer to the people, particularly those in the informal sector, adding that the booths, located in various markets and bus stops, provide first-line health services and telemedicine, making it easier for market men and women to access healthcare without leaving their workplaces.
Governor Sanwo-Olu also emphasised the role of local government authorities and market leaders in supporting and maintaining these facilities. He thanked them for their cooperation and urged other local councils to facilitate the installation of more virtual booths in their areas.
The Governor reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to introducing policies and reforms that make healthcare accessible and affordable, saying “Health is wealth, and prevention is better than cure”.
Earlier, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Health, Dr. (Mrs.) Kemi Ogunyemi lauded the new health insurance plan, stating that it symbolises the government’s commitment to bridging the gap in healthcare access and expanding the benefits available to enrollees. “This initiative reflects the state’s commitment to the health and well-being of its residents”, she said.
The Special Adviser also praised the commissioning of the ILERA EKO Virtual Booths, highlighting their role in bringing quality healthcare closer to residents, particularly those in the informal sector. She called on Lagos residents to register and enrol in the new health insurance plan to enjoy its numerous benefits. She urged residents to make use of the virtual booths whenever they face medical challenges.
Congratulating the Board Chairman of LASHMA, Dr. Adebayo Adedewe and the Permanent Secretary, Dr. Emmanuella Zamba, for their achievements. Dr. Ogunyemi highlighted the state’s swift response to recent health crises, including the cholera outbreak, and reiterated the importance of hygiene and preventive measures.
She further emphasised the government’s commitment to preventing untimely deaths and ensuring that residents have access to quality healthcare.
In his address, Dr. Chairman of the Lagos State Health Management Agency (LASHMA), Adebayo Adedewe expressed gratitude to Governor Sanwo-Olu for his support, which made the occasion a reality. He elaborated on LASHMA’s use of technology in its operations, ensuring seamless service delivery.
Dr. Adedewe disclosed the agency’s collaboration with the Lagos Residents Registration Agency (LASRRA) to increase enrollment uptake. He mentioned various programmes and activities, such as the ILERA EKO Pay-Small-Small payment plan, designed to make health insurance more accessible to residents.
He explained that the new ILERA EKO Standard Jaara Health Insurance Plan offers more benefits than the previous plan, including telemedicine services facilitated by the newly commissioned virtual booths.
Dr. Adedewe also shared plans to expand the virtual booths to more locations, aiming to install at least 300 booths throughout the state. He urged all Lagos residents to enrol in the ILERA EKO Health Insurance Plan and utilise the virtual booths for their healthcare needs, stressing the need for residents to prioritise their health and well-being.
The high point of the event was the decoration of Governor Sanwo-Olu and his Deputy, Dr. Obafemi Hamzat, as the Grand Ambassador of Universal Health Coverage (UHC) and Ambassadors of Ilera-Eko Social Health Insurance Scheme in Lagos State by the Commissioner for Health, Prof. Akin Abayomi in recognition of their efforts in championing healthcare initiatives in the state.
The launch of the ILERA EKO Standard Jaara Health Insurance Plan and the commissioning of the virtual booths represent a bold step towards achieving universal health coverage in Lagos State. These initiatives ensure that quality healthcare is accessible to all residents, regardless of their socio-economic status, and position Lagos State as a leader in healthcare innovation.
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