By Asma’u Ahmad
The Lagos State Government has reiterated its commitment to increase access to quality and affordable healthcare service through the implementation of its much awaited Health Insurance Scheme (LSHS).
The State Commissioner for Health, Dr Jide Idris, made the assertion in Lagos at the end of the 2017 State Council on Health Meeting.
Dr Jide Idris
A statement signed by the Director of Public Affairs, Mrs Adeola Salako, said the theme is: “Universal Health Coverage – Working Toward a Sustainable Health Care Agenda’’ and sub-theme: “Instituting the Lagos State Health Scheme.”mNewsmen report that the State Council on Health is the highest policy advisory body on health in Lagos State.
It provides a veritable forum for dialogue between a broad spectrum of decision makers, policy implementers and key stakeholders from all spheres of the Lagos Health Sector. Dr Idris said: “Two major issues, which include informal sector participation and enrollment in the LSHS as well as domestic resource mobilisation to fund the scheme were arrived at the council meeting.
“It was resolved that to effectively gain traction within the informal sector in terms of coverage of the LSHS, premium payment should be broken down based on earnings. Premium collection should be brought to
their places of business and several agents should be engaged to effect same.”
He said the council also resolved that there should be massive enlightenment and sensitisation of the informal sector to aid participation in the scheme. The commissioner added that capacity building and orientation should be invested in to enhance health-seeking behaviour.
Dr Idris said that the resolutions include leveraging on the use of information technology such as social media; use of IEC materials such as fliers, handbill, posters and banners and need for inter-sectorial collaboration. The commissioner said that implementation of the scheme lends credence to the state government’s position that all people and communities should have access to needed promotive, preventive, curative, rehabilitative and palliative health services.
According to him, such services must be of sufficient quality, be effective and residents should not suffer financial hardship when paying for the services. “This year’s session is especially significant at this time as the state is on the verge of commencing the Lagos State Health Scheme (LSHS),” the commissioner said.
