Ambode launches Lagos health insurance scheme

Lagos State governor Akinwunmi Ambode has on Tuesday launched the health insurance scheme of the state government.

Mr Ambode said at the official launch of the scheme held at the Civic Centre, Victoria Island, that the decision to come up with the initiative was inspired by government’s desire to provide access to affordable and quality healthcare services.

The scheme had already been backed by law enacted in May 2015 by the State House of Assembly.

Ambode said that though the task of providing health insurance for residents of the state was a tough venture, it was nonetheless historic and heartwarming that the implementation of the policy which started three and half years ago by his administration had eventually been realised.

“I am delighted that we have fulfilled that promise and are gathered at this historic and momentous occasion today for the formal launch of the Lagos State Health Insurance Scheme (LSHS).

“It is historic because it marks a distinct milestone in the State Government’s effort to ensure the sustained provision of a critical social service to our teeming Lagos population.

“To ensure that the indigent and vulnerable, who are most susceptible to the difficulties of out of pocket payments for healthcare, are enrolled into the Lagos State Health Scheme, we have set aside 1% of the State’s consolidated revenue in the 2018 budget for this purpose,” the governor said.

Lagos State commissioner for health Jide Idris had said that over 150 health care providers both public and private institutions have been registered for the scheme.

Mr Idris added that the initiative would cater for basic primary and selected secondary healthcare services for beneficiaries such as treatment and management of malaria, hypertension, common childhood illnesses, antenatal care services, delivery including caesarean section, among others.