Ten Local Government and LCDA chairmen in Lagos State have been honoured as EKOSHA Icons for committing resources, office space and strategic support toward enrolling vulnerable residents into the state’s health insurance equity fund.
The recognition came during a strategic retreat with council chairmen under Conference 57, where the Lagos State Government intensified enforcement of its Executive Order on Mandatory Social Health Insurance and urged grassroots leaders to accelerate enrolment into the ILERA EKO scheme.
All 57 chairmen were also decorated as ILERA EKO Champions.
The Chairman of the House Committee on Health, Lawal Aina Musibau, said the state already established the legal framework through the 2015 health scheme law, stressing that enforcement had begun and now required deliberate compliance beyond awareness campaigns.
He encouraged councils to sponsor indigent residents and partner with the health agency to address operational challenges.
Head of Service, Bode Agoro, described the July 16, 2024 Executive Order as a major reform aimed at universal health coverage.
He disclosed that compliance directives had been issued and a 26-member enforcement team inaugurated, adding that proof of insurance enrolment is already required for some government services, with expansion to the informal sector next.
Commissioner for Health, Prof. Akin Abayomi, explained that mandatory insurance would reduce out-of-pocket medical spending and replace informal financial assistance with a structured, sustainable healthcare financing system supported by ongoing investments in facilities and manpower.
LASHMA Chairman, Dr. Adebayo Adedewe, emphasised that councils are closest to residents and critical to increasing enrolment through community advocacy, while Permanent Secretary, Dr. Emmanuella Zamba, outlined collaboration plans including designated enforcement officers and expanded primary healthcare access.
Officials noted the scheme would ease financial pressure on local governments often approached to settle hospital bills and improve access to quality healthcare for residents as enforcement expands statewide.