1 day ago
3
Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has flagged off the enforcement of mandatory health insurance across the state, directing residents to obtain coverage by December 31, 2026, ahead of full enforcement scheduled to begin on January 1, 2027.
The policy, being implemented under Executive Order EO/BOS/01 of 2024, is aimed at expanding access to healthcare and reducing the financial burden of medical expenses on households.
At the flag-off ceremony held on Tuesday in Victoria Island, the governor also unveiled the Lagos Private Health Plans (LPHP), designed to provide insurance coverage for salaried workers and corporate organisations.
The initiative complements the existing Ilera Eko scheme, which caters to vulnerable residents and people in the informal sector.
Sanwo-Olu said the objective of the executive order was not merely to enforce compliance but to ensure that every Lagos resident could access quality healthcare without suffering financial hardship.
He said individuals, employers, workers and government all had responsibilities under the mandatory insurance framework, stressing that health coverage must become an essential part of life and employment in the state.
The governor urged employers to treat workers’ healthcare as a necessary cost of doing business, similar to pension contributions and other statutory employment obligations.
He also warned healthcare providers against denying emergency treatment to patients because of their inability to pay or lack of insurance coverage. According to him, patients must first be stabilised before payment and insurance issues are addressed.
Sanwo-Olu disclosed that 21 health maintenance organisations had endorsed participation in the new private health plans, describing the initiative as a partnership between the government and private operators to widen insurance coverage and strengthen healthcare delivery.
He also appealed to medical professionals considering emigration to reconsider, arguing that improved healthcare financing could help build a more sustainable health sector and improve conditions for practitioners.
Speaking at the event, themed “Lagos Covered, a Shared Commitment, a Healthier Lagos,” Commissioner for Health Prof. Akin Abayomi said advances in medical technology, including artificial intelligence, robotics and modern diagnostic equipment, had significantly increased the cost of providing healthcare.
Abayomi said an inclusive health insurance system was increasingly necessary to shield residents from rising medical bills while ensuring access to quality services.
He described the initiative as a major shift in healthcare financing, noting that the heavy reliance on out-of-pocket payments placed considerable pressure on households and healthcare facilities.
Earlier, Chairman of the Lagos State Health Management Agency (LASHMA), Dr Adebayo Adedewe, said the state government had increased its Health Equity Fund from ₦1 billion to ₦3 billion to extend insurance coverage to more than 500,000 vulnerable residents unable to afford premiums.
Adedewe said LASHMA would continue to expand enrolment, intensify public awareness and work to ensure that the policy translated into accessible healthcare for residents.
He added that the agency had strengthened community engagement through radio campaigns, billboards, digital advocacy and partnerships with traditional rulers, market associations, transport unions and other grassroots organisations.
The state government is positioning mandatory health insurance as a means of broadening access to healthcare while reducing dependence on direct payments at the point of service.
English (US) ·