The Lagos State Government has directed residents to enrol in health insurance by December 31, 2026, ahead of the commencement of enforcement of its mandatory health coverage policy on January 1, 2027.
Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, announced the deadline on Tuesday during the flag-off of the enforcement of mandatory health insurance under Executive Order EO/BOS/01 of 2024.
According to a statement issued by the Office of the Special Adviser to the Governor on Media and Publicity, Sanwo-Olu also unveiled the Lagos Private Health Plans to provide coverage for salaried workers and corporate organisations.
The new plans are expected to complement the existing Ilera Eko scheme, which provides health insurance for vulnerable residents and people working in the informal sector.
“Governor Sanwo-Olu gave every resident until 31 December 2026 to obtain insurance cover, with enforcement commencing on 1 January 2027,” the statement read.
Speaking at the event in Victoria Island, which attracted government officials, healthcare professionals and other stakeholders, the governor said the policy was designed to ensure that all residents could access quality healthcare without facing financial difficulties.
He said, “The ultimate objective of the Executive Order went beyond enforcement, noting that it was to ensure that every Lagos resident was covered by health insurance and could access quality healthcare services without suffering financial hardship.”
The governor explained that the policy required every resident, employer and worker in Lagos to have social health insurance, with specific responsibilities assigned to individuals, employers and the government.
He said the Ilera Eko scheme would continue to serve vulnerable populations and informal-sector workers, while the newly introduced plans would cater to salaried employees and employers.
Sanwo-Olu also urged employers to treat healthcare coverage as an essential business expense, alongside pensions and other employment obligations.
On emergency treatment, the governor stressed that healthcare providers must not deny patients emergency medical attention because they lacked money or insurance coverage.
He said patients must first be stabilised before payment or insurance issues were considered.
Sanwo-Olu disclosed that 21 health maintenance organisations had agreed to participate in the new plans, describing the initiative as a collaboration between the state government and private operators to widen insurance coverage and improve healthcare delivery.
He also appealed to medical professionals considering leaving the country to reconsider their decisions, arguing that improved healthcare financing could help create a more sustainable environment for practitioners.
Lagos State Commissioner for Health, Prof. Akin Abayomi, said rising costs associated with medical technology, including artificial intelligence, robotics and modern diagnostic equipment, had made healthcare increasingly expensive.
Abayomi emphasised that an inclusive health insurance system was necessary to shield residents from escalating medical bills and improve access to quality services.
He described the initiative as a significant change in healthcare financing, noting that reliance on out-of-pocket payments placed considerable pressure on households and healthcare facilities.
Earlier, the Chairman of the Lagos State Health Management Agency, Dr Adebayo Adedewe, disclosed that the state had raised its Health Equity Fund from N1bn to N3bn to extend insurance coverage to more than 500,000 vulnerable residents unable to afford the required premiums.
Adedewe said the agency would continue to increase enrolment, improve public awareness and ensure residents benefited from the policy.
He added that LASHMA had expanded community outreach through radio campaigns, billboards, digital advocacy and collaborations with traditional rulers, market associations, transport unions and other grassroots groups.
