LASHMA Urges Media to Promote ILERA EKO Health Scheme

The Lagos State Health Management Agency (LASHMA) has urged journalists to lead efforts in educating Lagos residents about the benefits of the mandatory health insurance scheme, ILERA EKO. Dr. Emmanuella Zamba, the Permanent Secretary of LASHMA, made this call during a two-day capacity-building program for journalists.

She emphasized the media's responsibility to build public confidence in the health insurance scheme by providing accurate information and correcting misconceptions. Zamba noted that the training aimed to enhance journalists' understanding of the Lagos State Health Scheme (LSHS) and the Mandatory Social Health Insurance Programme.

She recalled her commitment made at a National Media Dialogue in October 2025 to prioritize journalist training, which led to the first batch of training in February 2026, where 56 journalists were trained. Zamba highlighted that the Lagos State government made health insurance mandatory on July 16, 2024, and that public servants are enrolled under ILERA EKO, with the government covering 75% of their premiums.

Despite these efforts, many residents remain uninsured.