THE Lagos State Health Management Agency (LASHMA) has mobilised media organisations to deepen public understanding of the state’s social health insurance scheme and strengthen accountability in the health sector.

The two-day capacity-building programme, organised with technical support from the Institute of Social and Public Health Management (ISMPH) and NGODA Health, was designed to reinforce health systems through capacity development and improved media engagement.

Permanent Secretary of LASHMA, Dr Emmanuella Zamba, described media participation as critical to fostering public trust and transparency in health governance. She said the programme fulfilled her commitment to prioritise journalists’ capacity building and reiterated the Lagos State Government’s resolve to provide quality, affordable and equitable healthcare for all residents, irrespective of socioeconomic status.

Zamba noted that an executive order signed by the Governor of Lagos State has made health insurance mandatory for all residents under the state social health insurance scheme.

While enforcement has commenced across Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs), she emphasised that the primary focus remains on public education, engagement and confidence-building.

She disclosed that all public servants in the state have been enrolled under ILERA EKO, with the government covering 75 per cent of the annual premium while employees contribute 25 per cent. In addition, she said one per cent of the state’s Consolidated Revenue Fund has been earmarked as an equity fund to provide coverage for vulnerable residents.

Despite these measures, Zamba observed that a significant number of residents are yet to be enrolled, underscoring the need for sustained awareness and accurate information. She stressed that mandatory social health insurance is essential to protect residents from catastrophic health expenditures, strengthen the health system and ensure sustainable healthcare financing.

According to her, policies alone cannot guarantee success, as effective implementation depends on stakeholder understanding and cooperation. She said the media plays a crucial role in explaining policies, dispelling myths and holding institutions accountable.

Executive Director of ISMPH, Dr Moji Makanjuola, highlighted the unique role journalists play in shaping public discourse, influencing policy priorities and promoting institutional accountability. She said strengthening media capacity enables journalists to track health budgets, policies, workforce issues and institutional performance, while translating complex health financing processes into accessible narratives.

Makanjuola urged participants to elevate evidence-based discussions on domestic resource mobilisation, health insurance coverage, primary healthcare funding and equitable access for underserved populations.

She described the training as a call to action for journalists to amplify the voices of caregivers, frontline health workers and residents while sustaining public dialogue on health sector challenges and solutions.

Head of Business Development at LASHMA, Mr Olatunji Rotimi, said the programme also aims to facilitate the enrolment of vulnerable and indigent residents to ensure inclusivity. He explained that local governments appoint focal persons to coordinate grassroots participation, while LASHMA is empowered to receive and resolve public complaints, enforce compliance with legal provisions and impose sanctions where necessary.

Rotimi further clarified the relationship between the Lagos State Health Scheme Law of 2015 and the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA) Act of 2022. He noted that although Lagos had already established its social health insurance agency and equity fund, the federal law now makes social health insurance mandatory before residents can purchase private health insurance.