The Lagos State Government has officially launched the Lagos State Health Scheme (LSHS) Enforcement Team, marking the full rollout of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s Executive Order on mandatory social health insurance. The initiative aims to achieve universal health coverage and eliminate out-of-pocket healthcare costs for residents.
The inauguration took place on Wednesday at the Public Service Office (PSO) in Alausa, Ikeja, and represents a shift from voluntary participation to structured compliance under the Ilera-Eko Social Health Insurance Scheme.
Speaking at the event, Lagos State Head of Service, Olabode Agoro, described the launch as a major step in the state’s health sector reforms, emphasizing the government’s commitment to affordable and accessible healthcare for all.
Agoro noted that extensive consultations preceded the implementation, including strategic retreats with Permanent Secretaries and Heads of Agencies to ensure alignment across Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs).
Enforcement will begin in phases, starting with MDAs in the first quarter, before extending to local governments, local council development areas, corporate organisations, and the formal sector. The initiative, he stressed, is advocacy-driven rather than punitive, though access to some government services may be restricted for individuals who fail to enrol, similar to tax compliance procedures.
In a compliance directive, Agoro stated that proof of Ilera-Eko enrolment will now be required during monthly staff audits, warning that salaries of non-compliant officers could be withheld. MDAs were also instructed to lead by example, integrating LASHMA registration links on their websites and implementing a “No Ilera-Eko, No Service” policy.
Director-General of the National Health Insurance Authority, Kelechi Ohiri, commended Lagos State for pioneering mandatory health insurance, noting that the scheme aligns with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s health sector renewal agenda and the National Health Insurance Act of 2022. Ohiri emphasized that health insurance is a critical safeguard against catastrophic medical expenses.
Permanent Secretary of the Lagos State Health Management Agency (LASHMA), Emmanuella Zamba, explained that the Enforcement Team was established under the Governor’s Executive Order of July 16, 2024. She highlighted that Ilera-Eko offers various plans, including Standard, Standard Jaara, Standard Jaara Plus, Seniors, and diaspora-focused packages, stressing that mandatory enrolment is essential for equity, sustainability, and financial protection.
Zamba also revealed that the Enforcement Team underwent specialised training at the Lagos State Law Enforcement Training Institute and will operate with professionalism, fairness, and integrity.
Special Adviser to the Governor on the Parastatal Monitoring Office, Ibrahim Obanikoro, urged residents to embrace the scheme, noting that it provides critical financial support during medical emergencies and shields households from devastating healthcare costs.
The inauguration of the LSHS Enforcement Team signals Lagos State’s renewed commitment to universal health coverage and protecting residents from the financial burdens of illness.
