Lagos to begin mandatory health insurance enforcement January 2027
The Lagos State Government has stepped up efforts to enforce mandatory health insurance across the state from January 1, 2027, as the Lagos State Health Management Agency (LASHMA) partners the Healthcare Providers Association of Nigeria (HCPAN) to ensure compliance among healthcare facilities.
The Permanent Secretary of LASHMA, Dr. Emmanuella Zamba, disclosed this during a courtesy visit by the newly elected executives of HCPAN, Lagos State Branch, to the agency in Ikeja.
Zamba said the planned enforcement followed Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s announcement that mandatory health insurance would take effect from January 1, 2027.
She explained that the Executive Order, signed by the governor on July 16, 2024, was designed to ensure residents have access to affordable healthcare without suffering financial hardship.
According to her, the policy would reduce out-of-pocket healthcare expenditure, encourage early and regular use of medical services and strengthen the pooling of healthcare resources.
She added that the scheme would also provide healthcare providers with a more predictable flow of patients and revenue, thereby promoting a stronger and more sustainable healthcare system.
The LASHMA Permanent Secretary stressed that healthcare providers were critical to the success of the policy, noting that effective implementation would depend not only on residents’ enrolment but also on their ability to access quality and timely medical services.
She drew attention to Section 5 of Executive Order No. EO/BOS/01 of 2024, which requires residents and workers to possess valid Social Health Insurance plans before accessing healthcare services at public and private facilities in Lagos State.
However, she clarified that Section 6 provides for life-threatening emergencies, requiring healthcare facilities to stabilise patients without demanding proof of health insurance coverage.
Zamba urged the newly elected HCPAN executives to mobilise healthcare providers across the state and ensure they make the necessary arrangements to comply with the Executive Order before enforcement begins.
In his response, HCPAN Lagos State Chairman, Dr. Abimbola Julius Adekoya, thanked the LASHMA management for receiving the association’s new leadership, describing the visit as an opportunity to strengthen cooperation between both organisations.
Adekoya reaffirmed the association’s commitment to supporting LASHMA in improving healthcare delivery and advancing Universal Health Coverage in Lagos.
He acknowledged the agency’s role in implementing the Lagos State Health Insurance Scheme, known as ILERA EKO, and advancing the state government’s healthcare agenda.
He said healthcare providers remained indispensable stakeholders in ensuring the effectiveness and sustainability of the scheme.
The HCPAN chairman proposed a structured partnership with LASHMA, including periodic stakeholder meetings and the possible establishment of a joint working committee to identify challenges, develop practical solutions and monitor progress.
He assured the agency of the association’s readiness to mobilise its members towards achieving the objectives of ILERA EKO and strengthening healthcare delivery in the state.
Also speaking, HCPAN’s Immediate Past President, Dr. Jimi Arigbabuwo, commended LASHMA for its efforts to expand social health insurance and improve access to healthcare.
He pledged the association’s support in mobilising healthcare providers to comply with the Executive Order.
During the meeting, the LASHMA team also made presentations on updates to the Executive Order, provider-led enrolment, the responsibilities of healthcare providers, quality healthcare services and the LASHMA Assistant-In-Distress (LASHMA-AID) initiative.
Other HCPAN executives at the meeting included the Deputy Chairman, Dr. Deji Akinlade; General Secretary, Pharm. Abraham Ajalo; Immediate Past Chairman, Pharm. Biola Paul-Ozieh; and Public Relations Secretary, Nurse Jimoh Ayuba.