Odi-Olowo/Ojuwoye enrolls 1,000 residents in health insurance
The Odi-Olowo/Ojuwoye Local Council Development Area (LCDA) is set to enroll 1,000 residents in the Lagos State Health Insurance Scheme in its bid to make affordable healthcare accessible to residents.
- By Sherifdeen Amusa
The Odi-Olowo/Ojuwoye Local Council Development Area (LCDA) is set to enroll 1,000 residents in the Lagos State Health Insurance Scheme in its bid to make affordable healthcare accessible to residents.
Chairman of the council, Seyi Jakande made this known at the Lagos State Health Management Agency (LASHMA) Community Engagement and Stakeholders Meeting held at the Council’s Secretariat.
Jakande, while describing health as the best empowerment, said the gesture aligns with one of his campaign promises in the Health and Environmental Sustainability, Education and Empowerment, Works and Security, and Agriculture/Tourism/Culture (HEWA) agenda.
“Health and environment have to do with health. So, it is definitely in line with what we have promised during our election. We ensure that medical health services get completely free to all residents,” he said.
Permanent Secretary of LASHMA, Dr. Emmanuella Zamba, said the engagement was designed to strengthen collaboration with key stakeholders, address challenges affecting registration and service uptake, enhance community ownership of the scheme, and reinforce compliance with the state’s executive order on mandatory health insurance.
She said: “I urge you to support LASHMA as we commence the door-to-door campaign. We seek your cooperation in welcoming our teams into your homes and your communities. I call on all stakeholders present to please become Ìlera-Eko Champions by taking this message to every household, market, workplace and community within this LCDA.”
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Dr Zamba added that residents who may struggle with premium payments can use the flexible payment options including the “Pay Small Small” and the Ideran Tiwa Cooperative scheme, designed to facilitate easier enrolment and payment processes.
“Moreover, there are plans to establish a telemedicine kiosk within the LCDA, aiming to provide seamless enrolment and improve healthcare access for residents,” she said.
The council’s Medical Officer of Health (MoH), Dr Abimbola Folami, said the event provided a platform for promoting health and well-being and improves residents health-seeking behaviour.
“Health-seeking behaviour is just when you are naturally interested in your own well-being. You don’t have to wait until you are sick. Check yourself once in a while, especially with the stress of Lagos. So, having this massive turnout shows me that people are interested in their health,” she said.
She added that health was no longer the absence of disease but now has an expansive definition that includes mental and spiritual health.
