By Kingsley Samuel
As Lagos prepares to enforce compulsory health insurance across its healthcare system, the Lagos State Health Management Agency has begun a comprehensive assessment of hospitals to ensure readiness under the ILERA EKO scheme.
The statewide audit, which cuts across public and private health facilities, is aimed at identifying gaps, improving service delivery, and ensuring that hospitals are equipped to implement the mandatory health insurance policy effectively.
Building a more inclusive health system
The exercise signals a shift from policy to implementation, as authorities focus on ensuring that all residents, particularly vulnerable populations, can access healthcare without financial hardship.
According to LASHMA, the assessment will evaluate key operational areas, including patient enrollment processes, service delivery standards, and facility capacity to support the anticipated increase in insured patients.
Permanent Secretary of LASHMA, Emmanuella Zamba, described the initiative as a crucial step toward strengthening healthcare access across the state.
“This compliance assessment is a vital step towards ensuring that healthcare facilities are fully ready for the Executive Order implementation and enforcement,” she said.
She noted that hospitals will be required to meet defined standards, including the appointment of dedicated ILERA EKO officers, deployment of patient screening tools, establishment of complaint resolution systems, and improved visibility of enrollment channels.
Closing the coverage gap
A major focus of the exercise is ensuring that uninsured patients can be identified and enrolled at the point of care. This approach is expected to significantly expand coverage, particularly among underserved populations who often face barriers to accessing healthcare.
Zamba added that special attention is being given to enrolling vulnerable residents, ensuring they receive care comparable to that of paying enrollees.
Aligning with universal health coverage goals
The initiative forms part of Lagos State’s broader push toward achieving Universal Health Coverage (UHC), where all residents can access essential healthcare services without financial strain.
With over 700 healthcare providers already participating in the ILERA EKO scheme—including general hospitals, primary health centres, private facilities, and diagnostic centres, the state is building a network capable of supporting large-scale health insurance coverage.
Driving quality through accountability
Healthcare providers have welcomed the move, noting that the readiness assessment will not only improve compliance but also raise overall service standards.
The ongoing audit is also expected to strengthen collaboration between the government and private healthcare providers, as more facilities are onboarded into the scheme to meet rising demand.
As enforcement of mandatory health insurance approaches, Lagos is positioning itself to deliver a more structured, accessible, and efficient healthcare system, one that prioritises both quality care and financial protection for its residents.
