The Lagos State Health Management Agency (LASHMA), in its commitment to implement the provisions of the Lagos State Health Scheme (LSHS) Law and domesticate the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA) Act in Lagos State, has organised an orientation programme with the Permanent Secretaries in the newly created Health Districts.
The Permanent Secretary of LASHMA, Dr. Emmanuella Zamba, in her address at the event held at the Lagos State Chambers of Commerce and Industry (LCCI), Ikeja, said that the Agency has decided to host the six Permanent Secretaries in order to intimate them about LASHMA operations especially as it relates to healthcare services to ILERA EKO Enrollees in the Primary Health Centres (PHCs).
Dr. Zamba said that the engagement of the Permanent Secretaries is also vital in order to position the Public Health Centres (PHC) at a higher level capable of providing affordable and quality healthcare services to the huge population at the grassroots.
She noted that the Domestication of the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA) as contained in the Executive Order signed by Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, will commence at the Public Health Facilities in the State which include the Primary Health Centres (PHCs) which are closer to the people at the grassroots.
She said, “At LASHMA, our primary focus is the informal sector and if the PHCs are functional and able to provide quality healthcare services to the residents in the State in accordance with international best practices, then in no time, Lagos State will attain Universal Health Coverage (UHC)”.
The Permanent Secretary said that the NHIA Act states that every person resident in Nigeria, shall be required to obtain the Social Health Insurance Plan (SSHIP). With this, she explained that the section has made it mandatory for all residents in Nigeria to obtain health insurance.
Dr. Zamba commended Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu for his determination and commitment towards ensuring that residents in the State including the vulnerable, have access to quality healthcare services and live a healthy life. She added that LASHMA will work relentlessly to ensure that residents in the State comply with the LSHS Law of 2015 and the NHIA Act of 2022.
Appealing to the PHCs to ensure timely and complete capture of ILERA EKO utilisation data being the backbone of health insurance, she promised that LASHMA would continue to support the PHCs for continuous training, especially in the area of capacity building and quality service as well as community mobilisation to promote access to healthcare among others.
Dr. Zamba also pledged to ensure that the Agency engages with all other Health Insurance Stakeholders in order to collectively achieve Universal Health Coverage in the State.
In attendance at the event were the Permanent Secretaries District 1, Dr. (Mrs) Bankole Olufunmilayo; District 11, Dr. (Mrs) Lajide Oludayo; District 111, Dr. Monsurat Adeleke, represented by the Director, Medical Services, Dr. (Mrs) Adenike Oguntuase; District 1V, Dr. Bowale Abimbola; District V, Dr. Asiyanbi Oladapo and District VI, Dr. (Mrs) Mabogunje Abimbola respectively.
