Lagos expands free health insurance to cover surgeries, antenatal care

Lagos State residents enrolled in the free one-year health insurance package can now access a wider range of medical services, including major and minor surgeries, antenatal and postnatal care, specialist consultations, and family planning. The Lagos State Lotteries and Gaming Authority announced the expanded benefits during a medical outreach in Festac.

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We try as much as possible to reach every part of Lagos State. This programme, created by the Lagos State Health and Management Agency, is intended to provide quality healthcare services to residents in towns and communities that make up the Local Government Areas and Local Council Development Areas of Lagos State.

The initiative, implemented under the directive of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, aims to improve the well-being of citizens through strategic health interventions. Bashir Are, CEO of the Lotteries and Gaming Authority, represented by Kazeem Olanipekun, stated the government's commitment to reaching all parts of Lagos. The program, managed by the Lagos State Health Management Agency (LASHMA), seeks to provide quality healthcare services to residents across all local government areas.

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We need to tell Lagosians that we are not restricted to public hospitals and primary healthcare centres, we are also partnering with private hospitals and clinics within and outside Lagos State.

Lucas Aladeusi from LASHMA stressed that the scheme's reach extends beyond public facilities. "We are also partnering with private hospitals and clinics within and outside Lagos State," he said. The agency has significantly broadened the scope of services, now including clinical tests and patient registration. The outreach has already covered areas like Lagos Island, Agege, and Ikorodu, with the scheme open to all residents who live and work in Lagos.

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The Agency has gone a step further by expanding the access to minor and major surgeries, clinical tests, antenatal and postnatal care, family planning, in addition to the patient’s registration, general and specialist consultations, among others.