The Lagos State Health Management Agency (LASHMA) has stepped up efforts to deepen community participation in the Ilera-Eko health insurance scheme, announcing the introduction of ‘Ilera-Ibile officers’ to serve as community agents.

The agency’s Permanent Secretary, Emmanuella Zamba, said this on Thursday at the LASHMA Y2026 Q2 Media Parley in Lagos.

Ms Zamba explained that Ilera-Ibile officers were saddled with the responsibilities of sensitising, registering, educating and bringing community dwellers on board to benefit from the scheme.

She added that the agency also inaugurated the EKO Social Health Alliance (EKOSHA) Rural Health Scheme in Agboyi Ori-Omi under Agboyi-Ketu LCDA, to ensure  that underserved rural areas have access to healthcare.

She outlined a broad reform agenda anchored on increasing participation and awareness of the scheme, including innovation in payment systems and increased collaboration with journalists and community stakeholders.

“The essence of the Ilera-Ibile is to have some level of community ownership, along with other efforts to increase public awareness.

“The essence of the EKOSHA initiative is to ensure that people living in underserved areas where there is no Primary Health Centre have access to healthcare services through the Mobile Health Van,” she said.

According to her, a total of 18 lives have been saved through the LASHMA Assistance in Distress (LASHMA-AID) initiative, an Emergency Service Programme for residents of the State.

The LASHMA permanent secretary stated that the agency would in August announce a new policy of the scheme, aimed at providing quality access to healthcare for Lagosians.

In response to economic pressures and feedback from enrollees, Ms Zamba stated that the waiting time to access care under Ilera-Eko cannot be shortened for value and sustainability reasons.

Speaking, Techical Adviser to the Permanent  Secretary, LASHMA, Nifesimi Akinnagbe, said that enforcement of the Executive Order prompted increased penetration of the social health insurance scheme in the informal sector.

“Since over 70  per cent of Lagos population falls under the informal sector, as a result, we have consistently engaged the community leaders on the significance of Ilera-Eko being a reliable means to access quality and affordable healthcare.

“Presently, we have Ilera-Eko advocates, who promote the scheme at the grassroots and community levels,” Mr Akinnagbe said.

The Head, Planning, Monitoring & Evaluation, LASHMA, Adetoro Tayo-Adetoro, said that utilisation of Ilera-Eko had continued to rise, showing that coverage was translating into real access to care.

According to her, more enrollees are actively using services, a strong indicator of trust and relevance.

The Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Information and Strategy, Olanrewaju Bajulaiye, commended the participants, urging the media to continue to create awareness on health insurance. 

(NAN)