The Lagos State Government, in line with the United Nations proclamation of 2017, has commemorated the Universal Health Coverage (UHC) Day in all the five Lagos State Health Management Agency (LASHMA) Divisional Offices.
In her address at the Lagos Divisional Office, situated within the Maternal and Child Centre, Eti-Osa, the General Manager of LASHMA, Dr. Emmanuella Zamba, said that the State Government had established ILERA EKO social health plan in order to attain its Universal Health Coverage as conceptualised in the T.H.E.M.E.S Development Agenda.
She reiterated that ILERA EKO is aimed at providing affordable, quality and equitable healthcare to Lagos residents, irrespective of their socio-economic differences, assuring that the Agency would not relent in its efforts to ensure that residents have access to quality healthcare and value for their money.
Zamba, represented by the Sales Manager, LASHMA, Uche Igweonyia, commended Governor Olusola Sanwo-Olu, for his determination and dedication in ensuring that residents have access to affordable healthcare, stressing that with ILERA EKO, paying out-of-pocket for medical bills would be reduced drastically.
While appreciating eminent personalities who have enrolled residents on the health plan, especially the vulnerable, the General Manager called on other philanthropists, donors and civil societies to support the initiative and enroll as many residents as possible.
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The Head, Dietetic, Maternal and Child Centre, Eti-Osa, Mrs. Olusola Akinlonu, said that good health is essential for good living, therefore there is a need to ensure that citizens are physically, mentally and socially well-off in order to be more productive in society.
According to her, inadequate nutrients in the body may not be visible but when there are consistent inadequate nutrients, it then becomes obvious and sickness sets in.
Mrs. Akinlonu, therefore, advised residents to eat balanced meals, avoid processed foods, eat regularly, hydrate well by taking at least three litres of water or more daily, reduce salt or sodium intake, be happy at all times, sleep well and exercise regularly for about 30 to 45 minutes on a daily basis or three times in a week.
The representative of the Medical Officer of Health (MOH), Eti-Osa LGA, Dr. Oluwayomi Osiyemi, applauded the Lagos State Government for establishing ILERA EKO, noting that it is the bedrock to achieving UHC in the State.
He added that although 70 per cent of Lagos residents pay out-of-pocket for health care service, especially during emergencies, with ILERA EKO the Lagos State Government is giving the residents the opportunity to have a healthy living at moderate cost.
The Head, Human Resource, Maternal and Child Centre, Mrs. Omolara Asemota, appealed to all residents to enrol on the health plan and encourage others within their locality to also embrace ILERA EKO.
Apart from the commemoration of the UHC Day in Ikeja, Badagry, Ikorodu, Lagos and Epe (IBILE) divisional offices simultaneously, LASHMA also organized voluntary medical checkups for residents at the different venues.
Dignitaries in attendance at the event included Traditional Rulers, Chiefs, Medical Directors, Deputy Medical Directors, Medical Officers for Health, Community, Religious and Market leaders amongst others.
