The Lagos State Government has formally inaugurated the “Lagos State Health Scheme (LSHS) Enforcement Team,” marking the full implementation of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s Executive Order on mandatory social health insurance. The initiative aims to ensure that no resident is denied access to healthcare due to financial constraints and to accelerate the state’s drive toward universal health coverage through the “Ilera-Eko Social Health Insurance Scheme.”
The inauguration, held on Wednesday at the Public Service Office in Alausa-Ikeja, brought together key stakeholders from both state and federal levels, reinforcing Lagos’ leadership role in health sector reforms.
Speaking at the event, Head of Service Mr. Olabode Agoro described the launch as a critical milestone in the state’s health reform journey. He emphasised that the enforcement process would focus on advocacy, persuasion, and moral suasion rather than punitive action, clarifying that it is not about arrests or sanctions.
Agoro explained that enforcement will begin with Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) in the first quarter of the year, before extending to local governments, local council development areas, and the formal and corporate sectors. MDAs are expected to lead by example, ensuring that all staff are enrolled in Ilera-Eko, integrating registration links on their websites, and requiring proof of enrolment before rendering services.
A key compliance measure now links staff audits and salaries to “Ilera-Eko” enrolment. Officers who fail to provide evidence of enrolment during monthly audits risk having their salaries withheld. “Government already pays 75 per cent of the premium. We cannot afford to waste resources,” Agoro noted, stressing the importance of institutional ownership for the success of the scheme.
Permanent Secretary, Lagos State Health Management Agency (LASHMA), Dr. Emmanuella Zamba, stated that the Enforcement Team was constituted pursuant to the governor’s Executive Order of “16 July 2024” and has been trained at the Lagos State Law Enforcement Training Institute to operate with professionalism, fairness, and integrity. She highlighted that Ilera-Eko offers a range of actuarially designed plans, including “Standard,” “Standard Jaara,” “Standard Jaara Plus,” “Seniors Plan,” and diaspora-focused packages, ensuring equity, sustainability, and financial protection for all residents.
The Director-General of the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA), Dr. Kelechi Ohiri, commended Lagos for pioneering mandatory health insurance, describing it as a critical tool against “health poverty.” He emphasised that without health insurance, both poor and middle-income residents remain vulnerable to catastrophic healthcare costs. “No Nigerian should have to sell property or borrow money in the middle of the night to save a life,” he stated, pledging continued federal support for Lagos’ enrolment drive.
Special Adviser to the Governor on the Parastatal Monitoring Office, Hon Ibrahim Obanikoro, urged civil servants and residents alike to embrace the scheme, noting that health insurance provides financial relief during emergencies. Permanent Secretary, Public Service Office, Mrs. Sunkanmi Oyegbola, reiterated that officers must present proof of enrolment during monthly audits and “pay-at-site” exercises, warning that “no enrolment, no pay” will be strictly enforced.
The inauguration of the Enforcement Team signals a decisive shift from voluntary participation to structured compliance, with monthly reports on enforcement progress submitted to the Head of Service’s office. The team will oversee operations across MDAs, local governments, and corporate organisations, ensuring that Lagos State continues to strengthen universal health coverage while protecting residents against financial risks associated with ill health.
Leave a Reply