The Lagos State Government, has again urged Lagos Residents to enroll in the state’s health insurance scheme “Ilera Eko” to enjoy quality and affordable healthcare delivery.
The Lagos State Commissioner for Health, Prof. Akin Abayomi, gave the charge at the Society For Family Health (SFH) Retreat in Lagos.
Abayomi was represented by Dr Olamide Okulaja, Health Economist and Technical Adviser to the Commissioner.
The SFH Retreat, which had its theme as “Beginning with the End in Mind”, marks the commencement of the 40th Anniversary and 2023 Leadership Retreat of SFH, the largest indigenous NGO in NIgeria.
Okulaja who spoke on Universal Health Coverage said the state initiated Ilera Eko in a bid to ensure that all residents in the state, irrespective of their status, got access to healthcare services.
“The Lagos state government is poised to improve health in the state with the poor in mind and that is why the governor carved out a blueprint for its health insurance scheme called “ILERA EKO”, which costs N8,500.00 annually and N700 monthly.
“Part of the aims of the blueprint is health facilities upgrade, outsource some Primary Health Centres to private sector and improve patronage for health insurance.
“The best approach towards implementing a sustainable healthcare system is by building all encompassing facilities for all, for the benefit of both the rich and the poor in the society,” he said.
Speaking earlier, Prof. Ekanem Braide, the President of SFH Board, reiterated the board’s resolution to keep the Foundation’s vision alive.
“This retreat, therefore, is to pause, learn, unlearn and reignite our collective purpose to finish the job we have started working with our partners.
“We have structured the agenda with activities ranging from lessons learnt in health policy and governance private sector-led advocacy, expanded regional reform,” she said.
