The Lagos State Government has intensified efforts to enforce mandatory health insurance with the formal investiture of the Honourable Commissioner for Health, Prof. Akin Abayomi, and the Special Adviser to the Governor on Health, Dr. (Mrs) Kemi Ogunyemi, as Enforcement Leads of the Lagos State Health Scheme Executive Order and ILERA EKO Champions.
Eko Hot News reports that the investiture ceremony held at the Ministry of Health marked a renewed drive to accelerate compliance and enrollment under the ILERA EKO Social Health Insurance Scheme across the state.
Speaking at the event, Prof. Abayomi described the recognition as both symbolic and strategic. He stated that Lagos is deliberately transitioning residents from out-of-pocket healthcare payments to insurance-based financing to ensure financial protection and access to quality care.
The Commissioner recalled that Lagos became the first state to domesticate the 2022 National Health Insurance Authority Act through an Executive Order issued in July 2024, making health insurance mandatory.
He said the move reflects Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s strong commitment to healthcare financing reform.
Abayomi also warned against discrimination toward ILERA EKO enrollees, noting that negative attitudes within health facilities discourage participation.
He pledged to prioritise insurance compliance during inspections, stressing that insured patients must be treated with dignity.
In her remarks, Dr Kemi Ogunyemi said the enforcement role underscores that health insurance is now backed by law.
She emphasised that ILERA EKO is central to achieving Universal Health Coverage and aligns with the THEMES Plus Agenda of the state government.
She commended the Lagos State Health Management Agency (LASHMA) for sustained sensitisation efforts but noted that awareness gaps remain. Ogunyemi urged all health officials to mainstream ILERA EKO advocacy in every engagement.
Earlier, the Permanent Secretary of LASHMA, Dr Emmanuella Zamba, described the investiture as a critical step toward effective enforcement of the Executive Order across Ministries, Departments and Agencies.
She disclosed that enforcement nominees have been trained statewide, positioning Lagos as a pioneer in implementing mandatory health insurance in Nigeria.
In closing, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Health, Dr Dayo Lajide, said the ceremony signals the start of intensive enforcement efforts, assuring stakeholders of sustained collaboration to ensure the success of ILERA EKO.
