The Lagos State government has launched a renewed drive to implement its Executive Order on Mandatory Social Health Insurance, directing primary healthcare centres to facilitate on-the-spot enrolment for residents without coverage.
On Thursday, a strategic meeting was held in Ikeja with Permanent Secretaries from the six Health Districts, Directors of Medical Services, and Medical Officers of Health from all LGAs and LCDAs to accelerate the rollout at the grassroots level.
Permanent Secretary of the LASHMA, Dr. Emmanuella Zamba, described the engagement as a “coordinated effort to deepen compliance and strengthen operational alignment at primary healthcare centres, where the policy has the most direct impact”. She reminded participants that Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu signed the Executive Order on July 16, 2024, later reinforced by the Presidential Executive Order of September 12, 2025, as a key step toward Universal Health Coverage (UHC).
PHC leaders were urged to facilitate immediate enrolment through the ILERA EKO Scheme, ensuring patient details are properly captured and accounts activated. Life-threatening emergencies must be prioritised, supported by the LASHMA-AID programme launched in December 2025, which streamlines emergency care and verification.
Speaking on behalf of other district Permanent Secretaries, Monsurat Adeleke of Lagos Health District III encouraged healthcare leaders to champion the scheme, noting that some officials had yet to activate their coverage. She emphasised the importance of reducing out-of-pocket healthcare costs for residents.
“Social health insurance is the best way to protect Lagosians from high medical expenses, and as it is now compulsory, we must lead by example”, she said.
