2412 Views
The Honourable Commissioner for Health, Prof. Akin Abayomi, speaking at ILERA EKO mega promo reward ceremony for Ikeja Division, held at Ikotun Junior High School, Ikotun, said that the mega promo is one of the creative ideas of the Lagos State Health Management Agency (LASHMA) to stimulate residents’ interest in health insurance.
Prof. Abayomi, represented by his Special Assistant on Health, Dr. Babatunde Ajayi, said the mega promo reward would no doubt improve customers’ brand perception of ILERA EKO social health insurance plans and improve uptake in a sustainable manner.
Commending Governor Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu for his support and commitment to ensuring that Lagos residents have more access to affordable and quality healthcare, Abayomi maintained that initiatives like the mega promo award would draw attention to the Universal Health Coverage policy.
The Commissioner, therefore, urged the Agency to deploy more innovative ways of attracting residents to enrol on ILERA EKO plans, adding that the newly signed National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA) Act by President Muhammad Buhari has given more power and recognition to the State’s Health Insurance Scheme.
Earlier in his welcome address, Barr. Ayo Adebusoye, a Board Member of LASHMA said that the event was the first of its kind and one of the numerous events that clearly affirmed ILERA EKO’s uniqueness in the area of customer appreciation and engagement among other State Health Insurance Schemes in Nigeria.
He said that the event, slated for the five IBILE divisions in the State, would provide the opportunity for residents to redeem the promises made during the LASHMA grassroots campaign and deployed across the 20 LGs and 37 LCDAs of the State. Beneficiaries received raffle tickets to participate in the programme.
The Chairman, Igando Ikotun LCDA, Mr. Lasisi Ayinde Akinsanya, thanked Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu for ensuring that residents in Ikeja division have access to good and quality healthcare, pledging that the LCDA will spread the information about ILERA EKO to all and sundry.
The Chairman urged everyone yet to enrol on ILERA EKO, to do so immediately in order to reduce out-of-pocket payment of medical bills.
Also speaking, the General Manager, Lagos State Health Management Agency (LASHMA), Dr. Emmanuella Zamba, said that Lagos State is determined to ensure that every resident, including the vulnerable, has health insurance and unhindered access to quality healthcare.
She pointed out that the State government has dedicated one per cent of its Consolidated Revenue Fund (CRF) as equity for the payment of health insurance for the vulnerable, stressing that the administration of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has already released N750 million for enrolment of the less privileged on the scheme.
Dr. Zamba, therefore, called on the Local Government Chairmen, Community Development Councils (CDCs) and Community Development Associations (CDAs) to assist in identifying the vulnerable within their communities to ensure they benefit from the Lagos State Social Health Insurance Scheme.
The General Manager also appealed to prominent citizens, philanthropists and corporate organisations to support the State and ensure that more indigent residents are enrolled on the scheme, through the purchase of the recently launched ILERA EKO vouchers, adding that the Agency can also customise the vouchers for the sponsor(s).
