Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has directed residents to obtain health insurance on or before December 31, 2026, warning that enforcement of the policy will commence on January 1, 2027.
The governor announced the deadline on Tuesday during the launch of the enforcement programme under Executive Order EO/BOS/01 of 2024 in Victoria Island, Lagos.
At the event, Sanwo-Olu also unveiled the Lagos Private Health Plans (LPHP), a new initiative designed to provide health insurance coverage for salaried workers and corporate organisations across the state.
According to a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Gboyega Akosile, the policy requires residents, employers and employees in Lagos to obtain health insurance.
Sanwo-Olu explained that the initiative was aimed at ensuring residents could access quality healthcare without suffering financial hardship.
He noted that the existing Ilera Eko health insurance scheme primarily serves vulnerable residents and people working in the informal sector, while the newly introduced private health plans would cater to salaried workers and corporate organisations.
The governor urged employers to prioritise the health and welfare of their workers by providing health insurance, just as they make provisions for pensions and other employment benefits.
He also directed healthcare providers across Lagos State not to reject patients requiring emergency treatment because they could not immediately afford medical bills.
According to him, emergency patients must first receive the necessary treatment to stabilise their conditions before discussions about payment or insurance coverage begin.
Sanwo-Olu further disclosed that 21 Health Maintenance Organisations (HMOs) had agreed to participate in the new private health insurance plans.
He also appealed to Nigerian healthcare professionals considering leaving the country to reconsider their decisions, expressing optimism that improvements in healthcare financing would create better opportunities for practitioners.
Speaking at the event, Lagos State Commissioner for Health, Akin Abayomi, said the increasing cost of medical technology, equipment and treatment had placed a growing financial burden on patients.
Abayomi explained that expanding health insurance coverage would reduce the amount residents pay directly from their pockets when seeking medical attention.
He added that the initiative would also establish a more sustainable financing system for healthcare delivery across the state.
Meanwhile, Chairman of the Lagos State Health Management Agency (LASHMA), Adebayo Adedewe, disclosed that the state government had increased its Health Equity Fund from ₦1 billion to ₦3 billion.
According to him, the fund would support health insurance coverage for more than 500,000 residents who cannot afford the required premiums.
Adedewe said LASHMA had also intensified public awareness campaigns to encourage residents to enrol in health insurance schemes.
He explained that the agency was using radio programmes, billboards and digital platforms to educate the public about the benefits of health insurance.
The agency is also collaborating with traditional rulers, market associations and transport unions to reach more residents and encourage them to register.
As part of efforts to strengthen the implementation of the programme, Sanwo-Olu inaugurated two boards during the event to support the administration and enforcement of the state’s health insurance policy.
Government officials, healthcare professionals and representatives of public and private organisations attended the launch.
The Lagos State Government is expected to begin enforcing the compulsory health insurance policy on January 1, 2027, following the December 31, 2026, deadline for residents to obtain coverage.
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