Lagos State University Teaching Hospital, LASUTH, said plans are ongoing to implement the Lagos State Government Executive Order to increase the uptake of health insurance.
Chief Medical Director, CMD, of LASUTH, Professor Adetokunbo Fabamwo said this on the sideline of the donation of N3 million by a group to assist 16 patients in LASUTH.
He said the Executive Order when implemented might deprive people who were not captured under the Lagos State Health Insurance Scheme, ‘Ilera Eko’ or any other insurance scheme to access care.
Fabamwo advised residents to take advantage of “Ilera-Eko” to ensure uninterrupted access to quality and affordable health services in all public-owned healthcare facilities.
The News Agency of Nigeria, NAN, reports that the Lagos State government issued an Executive Order on July 16 for the compulsory subscription to Health Insurance Scheme by all residents and workers.
The Order was issued in line with the objectives of the Lagos State Health Scheme, LSHS, which seeks to promote Universal Health Coverage, UHC, in the state, guaranteeing residents access to quality healthcare irrespective of their socio-economic status.
He noted that the uptake for health insurance is low in the country, saying it is the future of medical funding.
He said: “There are two available health insurance schemes for Lagos residents which are Ilera Eko and National Health Insurance Scheme, but we would always encourage people to select the State Insurance Scheme.
“Out-of-pocket payment for medical treatment is fast going out of fashion, majorly because of scarcity of funds, increase in the cost of medications and medical services.
“We have kiosks mounted by State Health Insurance Team in LASUTH where people can get their registration done instantly and enjoy the various packages available in the scheme.
“An Executive Order was signed by Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu which states that no medical treatment will be given to any citizen in public hospitals. Only patients that need emergency care will be attended to and will be asked to register for a health scheme.
“We are taking our time to implement and put things in place to make the implementation of the executive order flawless,” Fabamwo said. (NAN)
