LAGOS REITERATES MANDATORY HEALTH INSURANCE, SETS ILERA EKO PREMIUM AT N15,000
Read Time:1 Minute, 50 Second
By: Muftau Fatimo
The Lagos State Government has reiterated that health insurance enrolment is mandatory for residents, with the subsidised Ilera Eko plan available at an annual premium of N15,000 per individual.
The Commissioner for Health, Professor Akin Abayomi, disclosed this during an unannounced visit to Shomolu General Hospital, where he also inspected the ongoing construction of the new 150-bed Shomolu Specialist General Hospital.
Abayomi said the policy was designed to expand access to healthcare and reduce the financial burden associated with out-of-pocket medical expenses. He interacted with patients and healthcare workers during the visit to better understand their experiences with health insurance.
According to the commissioner, the 2024 Executive Order domesticating the National Health Insurance Authority Act 2022 made health insurance mandatory in Lagos State, while the Lagos State Health Management Agency (LASHMA) administers the state’s health insurance schemes.
He explained that residents without health insurance may have to pay directly for hospital registration, laboratory tests, admission, medication and other medical services, which could place significant financial pressure on households, particularly during emergencies.
Abayomi said the subsidised Ilera Eko plan costs N15,000 annually, equivalent to about N1,250 per month for an individual. The package covers doctors’ consultations, antenatal and childbirth services, treatment for malaria and fever, management of hypertension and diabetes, laboratory tests, simple surgeries, specialist consultations and up to 15 days of hospitalisation annually.
He attributed the relatively low premium to government subsidies and risk pooling, noting that the estimated unsubsidised cost would be about N100,000 per person annually. Residents seeking wider coverage, he said, could opt for other insurance packages, while corporate organisations could access unsubsidised private health insurance plans.
The commissioner, however, cautioned that having health insurance does not mean all medical expenses are automatically covered. He said policyholders may still incur out-of-pocket costs for treatments excluded from their plans or services that exceed the applicable annual limits.
Abayomi therefore urged residents to understand the benefits, terms, exclusions and coverage limits of their insurance plans before seeking medical treatment.
He also encouraged residents to provide feedback on their experiences with health insurance and identify barriers preventing them from enrolling in the scheme.
Happy
0 %
Sad
0 %
Excited
0 %
Sleepy
0 %
Angry
0 %
Surprise
0 %
0
0