Stakeholders Join Discussion on Universal Health Coverage at Landmark Summit in Lagos State, Nigeria
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Dr. Tosin Kolade, director of health system strengthening at the Lagos State Health Management Agency, center, speaks at a panel session on key drivers for achieving universal health coverage. (Photo: Lagos State Health Management Agency)
The Lagos State Health Management Agency (LASHMA) hosted the first-ever Lagos State Health Insurance Summit on July 27, 2023, marking the state government’s renewed commitment and energy for accelerating progress toward universal health coverage.
The summit brought together policy makers and stakeholders to discuss how to put Nigeria’s National Health Insurance Authority Act into effect in Lagos, the country’s most populous state. Summit participants were also encouraged to share ideas and experiences to help LASHMA chart a path towards universal health coverage.
The National Health Insurance Act of 2022 makes health insurance mandatory for all Nigerians and strengthens the implementation of the Lagos State Health Scheme law. Under this law, LASHMA is responsible for providing health insurance coverage to some 16 million Lagos State residents.
Representing the Lagos governor, the permanent secretary of the state Ministry of Health, Dr. Olusegun Ogboye, urged stakeholders in the health insurance value chain to support LASHMA’s efforts to guarantee basic health care services for citizens.
“At the inception of this administration, we made a commitment to improve the quality of life of our people and steer the state towards universal health coverage,” said Dr. Ogboye. On behalf of the governor, he announced that the state had committed a minimum of 1 percent of its consolidated revenue fund to provide health insurance coverage for vulnerable groups.
The summit was supported by USAID’s Local Health System Sustainability Project (LHSS), which works with LASHMA to expand enrollment of vulnerable populations using the national Basic Health Care Provision Fund and the state’s health equity fund. LHSS also supports LASHMA’s efforts to expand the number of empaneled providers delivering HIV services.
Other summit participants included Mrs. Olayemi Oke-Osanyintolu, representing the first lady of Lagos State; LASHMA Board Chairman Dr. Adebayo Adedewe; USAID Nigeria representative Dr. Kolawole Olatunbosun; representatives of health maintenance organizations, civil society organizations, and academia; health care providers; public servants; employers; development partners; and members of the public.