The Lagos State Health Management Agency (LASHMA) has announced plans to commence full enforcement of mandatory health insurance across hospitals in the state, as part of efforts to expand coverage and strengthen financial protection for residents.
The Permanent Secretary of LASHMA, Dr. Emmanuella Zamba, disclosed this during the agency’s First Quarter 2026 Healthcare Providers’ Engagement Meeting held in Alausa, Ikeja.
In her opening remarks, Dr. Zamba noted that while public sensitisation on the Mandatory Social Health Insurance Scheme has been ongoing for several months, the time has come for deliberate and structured enforcement across Lagos State.
She explained that the engagement meeting was aimed at assessing the preparedness of healthcare providers ahead of enforcement, adding that it also forms part of LASHMA’s quarterly stakeholder forum designed to promote transparency, accountability, and continuous improvement within the health insurance value chain.
Represented by the Coordinator of Regulations, Mr. Tosin Awosika, the Permanent Secretary revealed that enforcement activities began in February 2026 across Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) of the Lagos State Government, and will be intensified in phases across public and private healthcare facilities, as well as the informal and formal sectors.
Dr. Zamba clarified that the enforcement initiative is not intended to penalise providers or residents but to ensure compliance with existing laws and protect citizens from catastrophic and out-of-pocket medical expenses.
“We are not locking up facilities, and we are not out to victimise anyone. Our goal is to ensure that every Lagos resident is captured under a structured health insurance plan. Health insurance is a protective mechanism. No one plans to fall ill, but when illness comes, financial protection must already be in place,” she said.
She added that with Lagos State’s population estimated at nearly 30 million, enrollment figures must significantly improve for the government to achieve Universal Health Coverage (UHC), stressing that health insurance is mandatory under the law.
Highlighting the role of healthcare providers, Dr. Zamba described them as critical partners in driving enrollment. She urged facilities to establish and strengthen enrollment desks to enable immediate registration of uninsured patients.
She also reiterated that under the Executive Order, patients must first be stabilised in life-threatening emergencies before any request for proof of health insurance. Patients without coverage, she said, should be enrolled at provider-led centres or directed to appropriate enrollment channels.
The Permanent Secretary further announced that LASHMA has commenced structured compliance and readiness visits to empanelled facilities, starting with public institutions and extending to private facilities. These visits will assess operational readiness, enrollment systems, documentation standards, and adherence to scheme guidelines.
Dr. Zamba noted that recent reviews indicated that many challenges in the system stem from poor clinical documentation rather than clinical management, urging providers to prioritise accurate record-keeping, clear escalation processes, and adherence to standard treatment protocols.
She also called on healthcare providers to lead by example by ensuring that their staff are enrolled in the ILERA EKO Health Insurance Plan.
“Healthcare facilities must enrol their staff on the scheme. We cannot encourage the public to embrace health insurance if our healthcare workers are not covered. Protection must start from within,” she said.
Dr. Zamba reaffirmed LASHMA’s collaboration with the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA) to strengthen regulatory oversight and align enforcement strategies.
She encouraged open dialogue and feedback from stakeholders, noting that suggestions from previous engagements are being incorporated into ongoing reforms.
“Our shared objective is to build a system that guarantees access, ensures quality, and strengthens trust. Enforcement is not about control; it is about protection — for residents, providers, and the integrity of the scheme,” she added.
Also speaking, the Provider Network Manager, Mrs. Bukola Badejo, commended healthcare providers for their active participation and reaffirmed LASHMA’s commitment to working closely with them to achieve Universal Health Coverage and improved health outcomes in Lagos State.
