The Lagos State Government has reaffirmed that health insurance is compulsory for residents, with the subsidised Ilera Eko scheme available at an annual premium of N15,000 per person.
The Commissioner for Health, Prof. Akin Abayomi, said the initiative was designed to make healthcare more accessible while reducing the financial pressure on families who often pay directly for medical treatment.
Abayomi spoke during an unannounced visit to Shomolu General Hospital, where he also inspected the ongoing construction of the 150-bed Shomolu Specialist General Hospital.
N15,000 annual premium
Under the subsidised Ilera Eko package, an individual pays N15,000 for one year of coverage, which works out at about N1,250 per month.
The commissioner explained that the amount represents an insurance premium paid by beneficiaries and is not a cash payment made by the government to residents.
He attributed the relatively low premium to government subsidies and risk pooling among enrollees. Without the subsidy and pooling arrangement, the annual cost was estimated at about N100,000 per person.
The Lagos State Health Management Agency, under the state Ministry of Health, administers the health insurance schemes.
Services covered under Ilera Eko
Abayomi said beneficiaries of the subsidised package can access a range of healthcare services.
These include doctors’ consultations, antenatal services, childbirth care, treatment for malaria and fever, as well as management of chronic illnesses such as hypertension and diabetes.
The package also provides laboratory investigations, simple surgical procedures, specialist consultations and hospitalisation for up to 15 days within a year.
The scheme is intended to reduce the need for residents to make direct payments whenever they require medical attention.
Residents urged to understand coverage
The commissioner advised residents to familiarise themselves with the terms of their insurance packages, including the services covered and applicable limits.
He noted that beneficiaries could still incur out-of-pocket expenses where a particular treatment falls outside their package or where an annual coverage limit has been exceeded.
Residents seeking wider coverage can consider other insurance packages, while corporate residents may access unsubsidised private health insurance plans.
Abayomi also encouraged residents to provide feedback about their experiences with the scheme and identify any challenges preventing them from enrolling.
The mandatory insurance policy follows a 2024 executive order that domesticated the National Health Insurance Authority Act 2022 in Lagos State.
