Lagos State Health Management Agency (LASHMA)) has organized media organizations to deepen public understanding of the state social health insurance scheme and strengthen accountability in the health sector.
The two-day capacity-building programme, organized with technical support from the Institute of Social and Public Health Management (ISMPH) and NGODA Health, was designed to strengthen health systems through capacity development and improved media engagement.
Dr. Emmanuella Zamba, Permanent Secretary of LASHMA, described media participation as important to promote public trust and transparency in health governance. He said the program fulfilled his commitment to prioritize capacity building of journalists and reiterated the resolve of the Lagos State Government to provide quality, affordable and equitable healthcare to all residents irrespective of socio-economic status.
Zamba said an executive order signed by the Lagos State Governor has made health insurance mandatory for all residents under the State Social Health Insurance Scheme.
While enforcement has begun everywhere Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs).), he emphasized that the primary focus is on public education, engagement and confidence building.
He disclosed that all public servants in the state have been enrolled under ILERA EKO, in which the government bears 75 per cent of the annual premium while employees contribute 25 per cent. Additionally, he said one percent of the state's consolidated revenue fund has been earmarked as an equity fund to provide coverage to vulnerable residents.
Despite these measures, Zamba found that a large number of residents have yet to be enrolled, underscoring the need for continued awareness and accurate information. He stressed that compulsory social health insurance is essential to protect residents from catastrophic health expenditures, strengthen health systems, and ensure sustainable health care financing.
According to him, policies alone cannot guarantee success, as effective implementation depends on the understanding and cooperation of stakeholders. He said that media plays an important role in explaining policies, dispelling myths and holding institutions accountable.
Dr Mozi Makanjuola, Executive Director of ISMPH, highlighted the unique role of journalists in shaping public discussion, influencing policy priorities and promoting institutional accountability. Strengthening media capacity helps journalists keep track of health budgets, policies, workforce issues and institutional performance, while translating complex health financing processes into accessible narratives, she said.
Makanjuola urged participants to enhance evidence-based discussions on household resource mobilisation, health insurance coverage, primary health care financing and equitable access for disadvantaged populations.
She described the training as a call to action for journalists to amplify the voices of caregivers, frontline health workers and residents while maintaining public dialogue on health sector challenges and solutions.
The Head of Business Development at LASHMA, Mr Olatunji Rotimi, said the program is aimed at facilitating the enrollment of vulnerable and poor residents to ensure inclusivity. He explained that local governments appoint focal persons to coordinate grassroots participation, while LASHMA is empowered to receive and resolve public complaints, enforce compliance with legal provisions, and impose sanctions where necessary.
Rotimi further clarified the connection between the Lagos State Health Plan Law of 2015 and National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA) Act of 2022. He said that although Lagos has already established its own social health insurance agency and equity fund, federal law now makes it mandatory for residents to have social health insurance before they can purchase private health insurance.