Lagos State Health Management Agency (LASHMA) has unveiled new benefits under the Ilera Eko social health insurance scheme, targeting vulnerable Lagos residents.
These benefits include increased equity fund investment, vocational skills training for vulnerable individuals, and a mandate for health insurance for all Lagos residents, ensuring financial protection from medical expenses.
It, however, reiterated its commitment to Universal Health Coverage (UHC) and prioritising vulnerable residents and public servants.The new benefits were disclosed during the 2025 ILERA EKO Day celebration held at the Lagos Television Blue Roof Arena, Agidingbi, Ikeja, where officials, stakeholders, and enrollees gathered to mark the scheme’s achievements, broaden its reach, and launch the Ilera Eko handbook.
The wife of Lagos State Governor, Dr Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu, described ILERA EKO as a symbol of dignity, equity, and peace of mind, saying that the scheme has grown from 100,000 to over one million enrollees.
She praised innovations like the Ilera Eko App, virtual booths, and telemedicine services, which have made healthcare more accessible, particularly in underserved communities.
“Health insurance is not a privilege but a right,” she stated. Sanwo-Olu, who highlighted the equity fund under the EKOSHA initiative, which provides free coverage for vulnerable groups, such as orphans, senior citizens, and persons with disabilities, urged Lagos residents to promote the scheme actively, stating, “Until we reach 20 million people with information about Ilera Eko, we can’t say we’ve achieved enough.”
She, therefore, urged civil servants, market leaders, religious bodies, and political leaders to become ambassadors of the scheme. Chairman of LASHMA, Dr Adebayo Adedewe, underscored the importance of affordable, quality healthcare. He outlined cost-effective plans, such as N15,000 yearly for individuals, N55,000 for families of four, and N80,000 for families of six under the age of 23.
Adedewe mentioned initiatives like the EKO Social Health Alliance (EKOSHA), Ilera Eko Tiwa Cooperative Society, and Ilera Eko Academy, which offer soft loans, food banks, referral bonuses, and training for community agents to support enrolment efforts.
In a major policy move, Lagos State Head of Service, Bode Agoro, announced that the government would subsidise 75 per cent of yearly health premiums for public servants, expand benefits, including up to N5 million for cancer treatment, 52 weeks of renal dialysis, orthopeadic surgeries, and fibroid treatment.
He added that retired public servants would benefit from the scheme. Permanent Secretary of LASHMA, Dr Emmanuella Zamba, said that trust in the scheme would continue to grow.
