About 5,000 residents of Eti-Osa Constituency II in Lagos State are set to benefit from a two-year free health insurance programme designed to reduce the financial burden of medical care.
The initiative, sponsored by the lawmaker representing the constituency, Gbolahan Yishawu, was launched at the Y-Arena Multipurpose Centre on Awolowo Road, Ikoyi, with residents and beneficiaries turning out for the programme.
The beneficiaries will receive coverage under the Ilera Eko Standard Jaara Health Insurance Scheme, providing access to a range of healthcare services without direct payment for covered treatments, subject to the terms of the insurance package.
Yishawu said the programme was introduced to increase awareness of health insurance while helping residents cope with the rising cost of healthcare.
According to him, many residents struggle to meet medical expenses and are often forced to depend on relatives, friends or public appeals when faced with major health bills.
He said the insurance initiative would help reduce such financial pressure by ensuring that beneficiaries could access healthcare without having to bear the full cost of treatment.
“This is one of the things people need, and we have made provision for it,” Yishawu said.
The lawmaker added that the health insurance programme was part of a broader range of constituency interventions, including educational support, skills acquisition programmes for young and older residents, and information and communication technology training.
A representative of the Lagos State Health Management Agency, identified as Mr. Ramon, explained that successful beneficiaries would receive policy numbers that would enable them to access services at their selected healthcare providers.
The package covers general and specialist consultations, medical tests, dental and eye care, minor surgeries and other approved healthcare services.
Expectant mothers are also eligible for antenatal care, medication, scans and delivery services under the scheme. Newborn babies, meanwhile, are entitled to healthcare coverage for their first 28 days.
The representative said beneficiaries would not be required to make direct payments for healthcare services covered by the insurance package, provided the services fall within the applicable terms and conditions.
Beneficiaries at the launch expressed appreciation for the initiative, describing the health insurance coverage as a valuable intervention at a time when the cost of accessing medical care continues to place pressure on households.
The programme is expected to provide participating residents with greater access to healthcare while promoting wider awareness of health insurance as a means of reducing the financial risks associated with illness.
