The Lagos State Health Management Agency (LASHMA), in collaboration with Health District V and the DIDE Foundation, has launched a two-day EKO Social Health Alliance (EKOSHA) community outreach in Badagry Division to expand access to free health insurance and essential healthcare services for vulnerable residents.
The outreach, which commenced at Posukoh Ward in Badagry, is part of the state government’s efforts to achieve universal health coverage by enrolling vulnerable residents on the ILERA EKO Health Insurance Scheme at no cost for one year.
Speaking at the flag-off, the Permanent Secretary, LASHMA, Dr. Emmanuella Zamba, said the state’s social health insurance scheme had become mandatory for all residents, irrespective of their socio-economic status.
According to a statement by LASHMA, beneficiaries enrolled under the scheme would have access to a wide range of healthcare services, including outpatient consultations, treatment of common illnesses such as malaria, management of chronic conditions including hypertension and diabetes, maternal and child healthcare, emergency services, surgeries and pharmaceutical care.
“The EKOSHA Community Storm is designed to take health insurance directly to vulnerable residents and enrol them on the ILERA EKO Scheme free of charge for one year. Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has dedicated one per cent of the state’s Consolidated Revenue Fund as an Equity Fund to support the enrolment of vulnerable residents, while increasing the fund from ₦1 billion to ₦3 billion,” Zamba said.
She urged beneficiaries to make use of their designated healthcare facilities whenever they fall ill instead of resorting to self-medication, adding that enrollees experiencing challenges could contact LASHMA’s customer service channels for prompt assistance.
Also speaking, the Permanent Secretary, Health District V, Dr. Oladapo Ashiyanbi, said residents would benefit from a range of free healthcare services during the outreach, including childhood immunisation, vital signs checks, tuberculosis and eye screening, dental care and enrolment into the ILERA EKO scheme.
“We encourage residents to take advantage of this opportunity by participating in the screening exercises and adhering to prescribed treatments. Good health remains the foundation of a productive society,” Ashiyanbi said.
The Executive Chairman of Olorunda Local Council Development Area (LCDA), Hon. Ajose Peter Kumayon, commended the Lagos State Government for extending healthcare interventions to riverine communities.
He disclosed that a boat had been provided to facilitate the transportation of residents of the Ojogun riverine community to healthcare facilities, adding that two additional boats would also be donated to improve access to medical services.
The Possu of Badagry Kingdom and Osewekan Bana I of Badagry Kingdom, Chief Sulaimon Sewanu Iroko, described the initiative as timely, noting that many vulnerable residents struggle to afford healthcare.
“This is a commendable initiative because healthcare is expensive for many families. With free health insurance for vulnerable residents, more people will have access to quality healthcare. I have personally benefited from ILERA EKO, and I can attest that the scheme is real and effective,” Iroko said.
The Chairman of the Community Development Association (CDA), Posukoh, Elder Hungbo Mayomi, also praised the initiative, urging beneficiaries to take advantage of the opportunity to safeguard their health.
According to LASHMA, residents from six of the 10 wards in Badagry Division, including the Ojogun riverine community in Olorunda LCDA, have so far been enrolled under the EKOSHA programme. The affected communities include Jegba Quarters, Posukoh, Ajara Topa, Ajido, Ikoga and Togo Idale, while enrolment in the remaining wards will continue.
The statement added that the DIDE Foundation also distributed free WAEC examination forms to secondary school students in the beneficiary communities as part of its support for education and youth development.
