By Ayomide Otitoju
Lagos State on Wednesday inaugurated the Lagos State Health Scheme (LSHS) Enforcement Team, marking the start of full implementation of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s Executive Order mandating social health insurance for all residents. The initiative aims to ensure no Lagos resident is denied healthcare due to financial constraints.
The inauguration, held at the Public Service Office, Alausa-Ikeja, brought together state and federal stakeholders, reinforcing Lagos’ leadership in driving universal health coverage through the Ilera-Eko Social Health Insurance Scheme.
Delivering the keynote address, Head of Service (HoS) Olabode Agoro described the event as a milestone in the state’s health reform agenda. He noted that since the Executive Order’s issuance, strategic engagements, including retreats with Permanent Secretaries and Heads of Agencies, have prepared Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) for phased enforcement.
Agoro clarified that enforcement is not punitive but relies on advocacy and persuasion. “This is about ensuring compliance through moral suasion, not arrests or sanctions,” he said, noting that access to certain government services may be restricted for non-enrollees, similar to tax compliance.
He directed MDAs to lead by example, enrolling all staff in Ilera-Eko, integrating registration links on their websites, and requiring proof of enrollment before service delivery. Compliance will be monitored via monthly reports, and staff salaries may be withheld for non-compliance, as the government already covers 75% of insurance premiums.
Dr. Kelechi Ohiri, Director-General of the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA), praised Lagos for pioneering mandatory health insurance, describing it as a critical tool against “health poverty” that protects both poor and middle-income earners from catastrophic medical costs. He pledged federal support, expressing optimism that the state could reach millions of enrollees.
Dr. Emmanuella Zamba, Permanent Secretary of the Lagos State Health Management Agency (LASHMA), explained that the Enforcement Team was established under the Governor’s Executive Order of July 16, 2024. She outlined the Ilera-Eko plans, including Standard, Standard Jaara, Standard Jaara Plus, Seniors, and diaspora packages, emphasizing that mandatory enrollment ensures equity, sustainability, and financial protection.
Zamba confirmed that team members received specialized training at the Lagos State Law Enforcement Training Institute and will operate professionally and transparently. She also requested additional logistics, including buses and a pick-up vehicle, to enhance field operations.
Special Adviser to the Governor on the Parastatal Monitoring Office, Hon. Ibrahim Obanikoro, urged residents to embrace the scheme, highlighting the financial relief health insurance provides during emergencies.
Mrs. Sunkanmi Oyegbola, Permanent Secretary of the Public Service Office, announced that officers must present evidence of Ilera-Eko enrollment during monthly audits and “pay-at-site” exercises, enforcing the principle that a healthy workforce is a productive workforce.
The inauguration signals a shift from voluntary participation to structured compliance as Lagos intensifies efforts toward universal health coverage and protection against financial risks from ill health.
