By Bunmi Yekini
The Lagos State Health Management Agency (LASHMA) hosted its 2025 ILERA EKO Annual Provider Forum on Wednesday, July 2, 2025, bringing together over 800 healthcare providers and stakeholders to chart a renewed path toward Universal Health Coverage (UHC) through strategic partnerships.
Held at Sheraton Hotel, Ikeja, the high-level engagement, themed “Driving Universal Health Coverage through Strategic Partnerships,” focused on deepening collaboration, strengthening policy reforms, and improving service delivery under the state’s flagship health insurance scheme, ILERA EKO.
Chairman of the LASHMA Board, Dr. Adebayo Adedewe, in his keynote address, praised the resilience of frontline health professionals and emphasized the importance of partnerships.
“Your commitment has propelled our shared journey toward Universal Health Coverage,” he said. “Strategic collaboration remains essential to scale our impact and build trust.”
Dr. Adedewe announced several provider-focused reforms, including performance-based categorization, supply of essential drugs, and revised fee-for-service tariffs aimed at cushioning economic pressures on providers.
“We’ve also expanded access by incorporating community pharmacies into the scheme, ensuring continuity of care and broader reach,” he added.
He further lauded Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s prioritization of the equity fund for the vulnerable, revealing a significant budgetary increase.
“From N1 billion in 2024, Mr. Governor increased it to N3 billion this year, demonstrating leadership and a firm commitment to equity,” he stated.
In her opening remarks, LASHMA’s Permanent Secretary, Dr. Emmanuella Zamba, announced that enforcement of mandatory health insurance in Lagos would begin in early 2026.
“We want all residents to be aware and onboard before enforcement begins,” she said. “This scheme is not just about policy, it’s a financial protection tool for every Lagosian.”
Dr. Zamba outlined critical structural improvements, including the transition of service authorizations and claims vetting from third-party administrators to an internal LASHMA team, which she said has led to faster turnaround times and improved oversight.
“We’ve also rolled out biometric verification in collaboration with LASRRA to reduce fraud and ensure real-time identity confirmation,” she noted.
Permanent Secretary, Lagos State Ministry of Health, Dr. Olusegun Ogboye, emphasized the importance of mutual understanding between providers and the agency.
“This forum enables a balanced view of the challenges on both sides. Let’s commit to making health insurance work, for patients and providers alike,” he urged.
Stakeholders from provider associations also shared insights and calls to action. Chairman of the Healthcare Providers’ Association of Nigeria, Biola Paul-Ozie, applauded LASHMA’s leadership.
“We must work together to improve enrolment and quality delivery. But we must also ensure our clients are treated with dignity,” she said.
President of the Healthcare Federation of Nigeria and PharmAccess Country Director, Njide Ndili, celebrated Lagos for being the first globally to link provider rewards to SafeCare quality levels.
“Providers are the anchors of Universal Health Coverage. Trust is the driver, when people trust the system, they are more willing to prepay, and that sustains the model,” she explained.
A highlight of the forum was the unveiling of the official ILERA EKO Provider Signages and the presentation of Excellence Awards to high-performing facilities in areas such as clinical service delivery, enrolment drive, data quality, and audit compliance.
As the event concluded, stakeholders collectively resolved to reinforce cooperation, drive innovation, and uphold professionalism across the ILERA EKO ecosystem.
“Together, we can build a more resilient, inclusive, and sustainable health system for all Lagosians,” Dr. Zamba declared.