The Lagos State Government has unveiled new and subsidised health benefits under the ILERA EKO scheme, reinforcing its commitment to Universal Health Coverage (UHC) and prioritising vulnerable residents and public servants.

The announcement was made at 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 and broaden its reach, as well as launch the Ilera Eko Handbook.

The First Lady of Lagos State, Claudiana Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu, described ILERA EKO as a symbol of dignity, equity, and peace of mind, revealing 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 made healthcare more accessible, particularly in underserved communities.

“Health insurance is not a privilege but a right,” the First Lady stated. She also highlighted the Equity Fund under the EKOSHA initiative, which provides free coverage for vulnerable groups such as orphans, senior citizens, and persons with disabilities.

Sanwo-Olu encouraged Lagosians to actively promote the scheme, stating, “Until we reach 20 million people with information about ILERA EKO, we can’t say we’ve achieved enough.”

She 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 per annum for individuals, N55,000 for families of four, and N80,000 for families of six under the age of 23.

Adedewe highlighted 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, Mr. Bode Agoro, announced that the government will subsidize 75 per cent of annual health premiums for public servants.

He revealed expanded benefits, including up to N5 million for cancer treatment, 52 weeks of renal dialysis, orthopaedic surgeries, and fibroids.

He added that retired public servants also benefit from the scheme and introduced an inter-state healthcare partnership, enabling civil servants living in Ogun border towns to access services at 15 approved facilities in Ogun State.

Permanent Secretary of LASHMA, Dr. Emmanuella Zamba, emphasized that trust in the scheme continues to grow.

She said ILERA EKO is evolving to meet the diverse needs of Lagosians, especially seniors and school-aged children, and stressed the role of technology in enhancing access to care.

Deputy Chief of Staff Mr. Sam Ebube, joined others in calling on all Lagos residents to embrace the scheme as both a right and a necessity, not just a government policy.

He commended LASHMA’s efforts in turning ILERA EKO into a life-changing platform for many.