The Lagos State Health Management Agency (LASHMA) has announced plans to commence enforcement of mandatory health insurance across hospitals in Lagos State. The move is aimed at expanding coverage and strengthening financial protection for residents.
Eko Hot News reports that the announcement was made during LASHMA’s First Quarter 2026 Healthcare Providers’ Engagement Meeting held in Alausa, Ikeja. The forum brought together healthcare providers to assess readiness for the enforcement phase.
The Permanent Secretary of LASHMA, Emmanuella Zamba, stated that sensitisation efforts have been ongoing for months. She noted that the agency is now transitioning to a more structured enforcement strategy to ensure wider participation in the health insurance scheme.
Dr. Zamba explained that the engagement serves as a platform to evaluate the preparedness of healthcare providers. She added that the quarterly meeting also promotes transparency, accountability, and continuous improvement within the health insurance system.
She disclosed that enforcement activities began in February 2026 across Ministries, Departments, and Agencies under the Lagos State Government. The process, she said, will be implemented in phases across public and private healthcare facilities, as well as formal and informal sectors.
The Permanent Secretary clarified that the enforcement is not intended to penalise residents or providers. Instead, it is designed to ensure compliance with existing laws and protect individuals from high medical expenses.
According to her, health insurance serves as a financial safeguard for residents. She emphasised that while no one plans for illness, having coverage in place ensures access to care without financial strain.
Dr. Zamba noted that with Lagos State’s population nearing 30 million, enrollment levels must increase significantly to achieve Universal Health Coverage. She stressed that health insurance is mandatory under the law and requires collective responsibility.
She urged healthcare providers to play a leading role in driving enrollment by establishing functional registration desks within their facilities. This, she said, would allow uninsured patients to be enrolled immediately when they visit hospitals.
The Permanent Secretary also reminded providers of the directive to stabilise patients during emergencies before requesting proof of insurance. She encouraged facilities to guide uninsured patients on how to enrol where necessary.
Dr. Zamba further announced that LASHMA has commenced compliance and readiness visits to empanelled facilities. These visits will assess operational standards, documentation processes, and adherence to guidelines.
She highlighted that recent assessments revealed gaps in clinical documentation among providers. She advised healthcare facilities to prioritise proper record-keeping and adherence to standard treatment procedures.
The Permanent Secretary also stressed the importance of enrolling healthcare workers under the ILERA EKO Health Insurance Plan. She noted that providers must lead by example by ensuring their staff are covered.
Dr. Zamba affirmed ongoing collaboration with the National Health Insurance Authority to strengthen regulatory oversight and align enforcement strategies across the state.
She encouraged providers to continue offering feedback, noting that suggestions from previous engagements are being integrated into ongoing reforms. The goal, she said, is to build a system that guarantees access, quality, and trust.
Also speaking, the Provider Network Manager, Bukola Badejo, commended healthcare providers for their participation. She reiterated LASHMA’s commitment to working closely with stakeholders to improve healthcare outcomes.
The engagement concluded with renewed commitment from stakeholders to support the implementation of mandatory health insurance and enhance service delivery across Lagos State.
