As the Ilera Eko Health Scheme marked its fourth anniversary, Lagos State took time to celebrate progress in public healthcare delivery, while issuing a clarion call to all residents: “Health care is your right …enrol now!”
Held under the theme “Ilera Eko: Health Coverage for All,” the anniversary event—tagged Ilera Eko Day—drew attention not only to the strides made since the scheme’s inception, but also to the urgent need for massive public participation to fully realize the initiative’s vision of universal health coverage in Lagos State.
Addressing a vibrant audience of stakeholders, health officials, lawmakers, and residents, the First Lady of Lagos State, Dr. Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu, hailed the progress recorded since the scheme’s launch, revealing a jump from 100,000 enrollees to over one million within four years. However, she lamented that this figure remains a drop in the ocean compared to Lagos’ booming population of over 20 million.
“Everybody has a right to health that is accessible and affordable. We started with just 100,000 people. Now we have over one million enrollees, but that’s still too small. We must do more. We must campaign the same way we campaign during elections—in churches, mosques, marketplaces—everywhere,” she said passionately.
Dr. Sanwo-Olu was also honored at the event as the “Ilera Eko Icon and Ekosha Grand Day,” in recognition of her continued advocacy for inclusive healthcare in the state.
The health scheme, managed by the Lagos State Health Management Authority (LASHMA), was praised as a transformative initiative during the ceremony. Permanent Secretary of LASHMA, Emmanuel Zamba, highlighted the flexible payment options available to the public:
- N15,000 per year for individuals
- N55,000 for a family of four
- N80,000 for a family of six
Zamba also revealed that Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu had subsidized the premiums to make quality healthcare affordable for all residents—regardless of income.
“This is a government-backed opportunity to secure the health of every Lagosian. There’s no excuse not to join now,” Zamba said, encouraging Lagosians to take full advantage of the initiative.
Also lending his voice at the event was the Chairman of the Lagos House of Assembly Committee on Health, Hon. Aina Lawal, who described Ilera Eko as a celebration of lives touched through accessible health services.
“Ilera Eko has become a beacon of hope. I commend LASHMA for their commitment to making healthcare more inclusive. It’s time for all Lagosians to become ambassadors of this strong, evolving healthcare system,” he said.
A Scheme With Impact—And Untapped Potential
Ilera Eko offers enrollees access to a wide range of health services including general medical consultations, maternal and child health services, emergency care, surgeries, and more across registered public and private health facilities in Lagos.
Despite the success story, officials at the event acknowledged a lingering challenge—low public awareness and late enrolment. To tackle this, the state government is planning a grassroots mobilization campaign, akin to political election drives, to encourage more participation.
Looking Forward
With the launch of the Ilera Eko Handbook at the event, and renewed political will behind the scheme, the fourth anniversary has become more than just a celebration. It’s a renewed call to action—a pledge to push for deeper awareness, accessibility, and trust in the state’s healthcare system.
As Lagos journeys toward health equity for all, Ilera Eko remains at the heart of its mission: a healthier, more protected population—one Lagosian at a time.
