The Lagos State Government has made health insurance compulsory for all residents, with the subsidised Ilera Eko plan costing ₦15,000 annually. The policy, reiterated by Commissioner for Health Akin Abayomi, is designed to ease the burden of medical bills on households and expand access to healthcare.
Compulsory Health Insurance Policy and Premium Details
During an unannounced visit to Shomolu General Hospital, alongside an inspection of the new 150-bed Shomolu Specialist General Hospital under construction, Abayomi said an individual pays ₦15,000 annually for the Ilera Eko package, equivalent to about ₦1,250 monthly. The amount is an insurance premium paid by enrollees, not a cash payment from the government to residents.
According to the commissioner, government subsidies and risk pooling keep the premium relatively low. Without those arrangements, the annual cost would be approximately ₦100,000 per person. The Lagos State Health Management Agency, operating under the Ministry of Health, administers the schemes.
What Ilera Eko Covers and Its Limits
The package covers consultations with doctors, antenatal care, childbirth services, treatment for malaria and fever, and management of chronic conditions, including hypertension and diabetes. Other benefits include laboratory investigations, simple surgeries, specialist consultations, and up to 15 days of hospitalisation each year.
For households facing recurring healthcare expenses, the scheme is intended to reduce dependence on direct payments whenever someone falls ill. Abayomi explained that uninsured residents must pay separately for hospital registration cards, tests, admission, medicines, and other services, which can put considerable pressure on family finances.
Despite the benefits, the commissioner cautioned that having insurance does not mean every treatment or medical expense is covered. Policyholders may still need to pay for services excluded from their chosen package or treatment that exceeds its annual limits. He urged residents to understand the terms, benefits, and restrictions of their policies before seeking medical attention.
Broader Plans and Feedback Mechanisms
Those requiring broader protection can consider other insurance packages, while corporate residents can access unsubsidised private plans, Abayomi said. A 2024 executive order domesticating the National Health Insurance Authority Act 2022 made health insurance mandatory in Lagos.
During his visit, the commissioner discussed insurance experiences with patients and healthcare workers, encouraging residents to report difficulties and identify barriers preventing enrollment so those concerns could be understood and addressed.
