Ilera Eko: Affordable Health Insurance in Lagos you need to know about

Are you tired of high medical bills in Lagos? Looking for quality healthcare without breaking the bank? Ilera Eko, Lagos State’s health insurance scheme is the solution.

Launched by the Lagos State Health Management Agency (LASHMA), Ilera Eko is designed to make affordable and quality healthcare accessible to all residents of Lagos, regardless of their location, whether in Surulere, Ikorodu, Ajah, Island or Agege.

In this article, you’ll learn everything you need to know about Ilera Eko: what it is, what it covers, how much it costs, and how to enrol.

What is Ilera Eko?

At its core, Ilera Eko is a state-backed health insurance initiative designed to provide every Lagos resident with access to affordable, quality healthcare.

Launched in 2020, the programme is part of the broader Lagos State Health Scheme (LSHS), established under the Lagos State Health Scheme Law of 2015.

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For a monthly fee as low as ₦8,500 per individual per year, and ₦40,000 for a family of six, enrollees can access services at over 200 accredited health facilities across the state, both public and private.

The package covers: Consultation and treatment, Hospital admission, Childbirth (including cesarean section), Family planning, Malaria treatment, Hypertension and diabetes management, Minor surgeries, Emergency care and more.

Ilera Eko closing the Healthcare access gap

Before Ilera Eko, quality healthcare for the average Lagosian, especially in lower-income communities, was a luxury. Private hospitals were too expensive, and public hospitals, though affordable, were often overcrowded.

“I used to save money before visiting any hospital, because I was scared of bills I couldn’t pay,” says Mrs. Adebayo, a mother of three in Ikorodu.

“Since we joined the scheme, my children get treated quickly, and I don’t have to worry about bills,” she added.

Her story is one of thousands. For artisans, market women, students, civil servants, and the elderly, the scheme offers a buffer from financial distress during illness.

Digital Health meets Community engagement

One of Ilera Eko’s strengths is its ability to blend technology with grassroots mobilisation. Residents can enrol via mobile platforms or physical outreach centres, with a network of LASHMA officers conducting sensitisation campaigns in markets, bus parks, and community halls.

In 2022, Lagos State partnered with private-sector technology providers to introduce an electronic health insurance card system, ensuring better tracking and more efficient service delivery.

Moreover, targeted plans are being introduced, including the Ilera Eko Corporate, Students’ Plan, and even coverage for informal sector workers such as okada riders and street traders.

A vision for Universal Health coverage

Dr. Emmanuella Zamba, General Manager of LASHMA, believes Ilera Eko is not just a policy, but a promise.

“Health should not depend on how much money you have in your pocket. With Ilera Eko, we are bringing Lagos closer to universal health coverage, one community at a time.”

With the scheme now integrated into the Lagos State Smart Health Strategy, the government plans to scale the initiative further, including the integration of specialist care, telemedicine services, and incentives for private sector partnerships.

Health is Wealth and Ilera Eko is the Proof

In Yoruba, “Ilera ni oro” health is wealth. As Lagos continues to expand and modernise, Ilera Eko remains a powerful example of what can happen when public policy meets political will.

For Lagosians who once feared the hospital bills more than the illness itself, the health scheme is offering more than coverage, it is offering hope.

How to enrol

Visit any LASHMA office or agent

Use the Ilera Eko USSD code: *6700#

Or enroll online at: www.lashma.com