… Says Ilera Eko offers affordable health for Lagosians not profit
By Chioma Obinna & Henry Obetta
The Lagos State Government has reaffirmed that the Mandatory Social Health Insurance Scheme, Ilera Eko, is a public-good initiative aimed at ensuring affordable and accessible healthcare for residents, not a revenue-generating scheme.
The government made the clarification during a two-day capacity-building workshop for journalists on the Lagos Health Scheme, LSHS, and Ilera Eko, organised by the Lagos State Health Management Agency, LASHMA, in collaboration with the International Society of Media in Public Health, ISMPH, and the EngenderHealth Consortium Partnership.
Speaking at the event, Dr. Emmanuella Zamba, Permanent Secretary of LASHMA, emphasised the programme’s focus on maternal and child health, as well as improving the quality of life for all Lagos residents.
“Ilera Eko is what the government has put in place to ensure quality health and longevity of life for Lagos residents,” Zamba said. “When you set aside this relatively affordable amount of money, you are guaranteed health for your family. You can plan your life better—send children to school, build a house, buy a car—without being crippled by sudden medical bills.”
Speaking on maternal and child health specifically, she highlighted the scheme’s robust coverage.
“The programme covers essential services such as caesarean sections and antenatal care, often heavily subsidized. Mothers must have at least five months of antenatal care, allowing doctors to identify high-risk cases early and improve outcomes, ensuring both mothers and babies survive and thrive.”
Addressing concerns over recent registration directives, Zamba clarified that circulars issued by the Office of the Head of Service were intended to set an example among public servants.
“Public servants have been very cooperative, registering for the scheme. Registration is ongoing and there isn’t any issue at all,” she explained. “If the government says this is mandatory, we must lead by example so that residents follow suit.”
Zamba appealed to residents to come on board. “Let’s stop needless deaths from hypertension, maternal complications, or emergencies where families cannot pay. Take control of your health today, don’t wait until life forces you to. This scheme is affordable, government-subsidized, and available across Lagos. Every family that wants quality of life can participate.”
Speaking the Head of Business Development at LASHMA, Mr. Olatunji Rotimi, emphasised that Ilera Eko prioritizes service delivery over profit, distinguishing it from private Health Maintenance Organizations (HMOs).
“What we do is different from HMOs. Their business is about return on investment; if they don’t make profits, they fade. For Ilera Eko, it’s about service. Any revenue accrued is reinvested into the health system to expand service delivery,” Rotimi said.
He outlined the available plans, including the Standard Jara Plan, Standard Jara Plus, Seniors Plan, Diaspora Plan, Higher Institution Plan, and Bespoke Plan, with a new Standard Plan set to launch at ₦10,000. Payment options are flexible monthly, quarterly, or annually and enrollees in the informal sector can access support through the Ilera N’ Tiwa Cooperative Multipurpose Society.
On implementation, Mr. Nifesimi Akinnagbe, Technical Assistant to the Permanent Secretary, detailed the agency’s public awareness and engagement initiatives. These include 11 radio docu-dramas currently airing across the state, weekly programs on BondFM, Lagos Traffic Radio, WashFM, and partnerships with Local Government Chairmen, community development committees, and health advocacy groups.
“Information meant to do good can be twisted and spread on social media. That is why engaging community gatekeepers is critical, especially in the informal sector,” Akinnagbe warned.
Providing data on enrolment, Monitoring and Evaluation Officer Mr. Kehinde Daudu revealed that by the fourth quarter of 2025, Ilera Eko had enrolled over 1.3 million residents, with an annual growth rate of 27 percent . Females account for 53 percent of enrollees, while males make up 47 percent. Age distribution shows 4% under five years, 25 percent between 5–18, 61% from 18–60, and 10 per cent above 60.
Speaking, Mr. Boniface Kassam of ISMPH encouraged journalists to adopt advocacy-driven reporting and human-interest stories that connect personal experiences with broader systemic health issues, deepening public understanding of Ilera Eko and its benefits.
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