LAGOS INCREASES ILERA EKO HEALTH INSURANCE DEPENDANTS AGE TO 23 YEARS
As part of strategies to reduce the financial burden on enrolless of ILERA Eko health scheme, the Lagos State Government has increased the maximum age of dependants in a family package from 18 years to 23 years.
The General Manager, Lagos State Health Management Agency (LASHMA), Dr. Emmanuella Zamba, made the disclosure during a courtesy visit by the Nigeria Union of Journalists (Lagos State Information Chapel) to her office, saying that the State Government realised that there are still some children who are above 18 years old but still stay with their parents.
While commending the Union for the visit, Dr. Zamba noted that Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has also graciously approved that public servants should have EKOTELEMED as a complement to their ILERA EKO Standard Plan free of charge while other Lagos residents will pay N3,000 per annum to enjoy EKOTELEMED.
She noted that with EKOTELEMED, Public Servants or other ILERA EKO Enrollees who do not want to physically go to the hospital can call a doctor for free consultation on 08000-EKOMED (08000-356633) via audio or video call from the comfort of their homes or offices.
Noting that the free call consultation allows interaction in any of the four major languages in the State – English, Yoruba, Hausa and Igbo, Dr. Zamba said that a lot of initiatives have been developed by the Agency since it started operations to enlighten residents on the benefits of health insurance in Lagos.
These initiatives, according to her, include the recently launched expanded benefits package, ILERA EKO Pay Small-Small, which provides an opportunity for Enrollees to pay monthly, just as there is a 24/7 Customer Call Centre and dedicated lines: 0800-ASKLASHMA (0800-275527462) and 0700-ILERAEKO (0700-45372356), which are open for enrollees to call at any time of the day for information, complaints or commendation.
She advised enrollees to call any of the numbers immediately they find it difficult to access care in any hospital, stressing that the Agency needs feedback in order to provide excellent service delivery and ensure enrollees get value for their money.
Dr. Zamba said that Enrollees have the right to pick any hospital of their choice either government or private and can also change their hospitals twice a year, urging them to send mails to Ileraeko@lashma.com with “Change of Hospital” as the subject anytime they desire.
The Chairman, Nigeria Union of Journalists, Lagos State Information Chapel, Comrade Adebowale Adeniji, who commended LASHMA for its dedication and commitment towards the realisation of the Universal Health Coverage policy of the Lagos State Government, pledged that the Union would partner with the Agency to realise its mandate.
He praised Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu for his determination to ensure that Lagos residents have access to affordable and quality healthcare, irrespective of their socio-economic differences.
“We have been seeing a lot of the vulnerable coming on board ILERA EKO and having access to care in the various hospitals of their choice. This is a good testimony that the State Government cares for the good health and wellbeing of the residents of the State”, Adeniji said.
The Chairman appealed that the Agency should do its best to reduce the time spent in hospitals by ILERA EKO enrollees while accessing care.
Also speaking, the immediate past Chairman of the Union, Mr. Wale Akodu, applauded the good work of the Agency and its robust awareness campaign on ILERA EKO in the State.
He envisaged that the good testimonies shared by the enrollees of ILERA EKO will boost the number of residents that subscribe to the health insurance policy in no distant future.
Other NUJ Executives present during the courtesy visit included the Vice-Chairman of the Union, Olumuyiwa Ojekunle; Secretary, Abolanle Isola; Treasurer, Olatunde Ekundayo; Internal Auditor, Bode Lawal; Ex-Officio, Anu Thomas and Financial Secretary, Temitayo Adekoya.
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CAPTIONS:
Pix 1: The immediate past Chairman, Nigeria Union of Journalists, Lagos State Information Chapel, Mr. Wale Akodu, sharing an enrollee testimonial
Pix 2: The General Manager, Lagos State Health Management Agency (LASHMA), Dr. Emmanuella Zamba, addressing the Executive members of Nigeria Union of Journalists, Lagos State Information Chapel.
Pix 3: Third from Left: The General Manager, LASHMA, Dr. Emmanuella Zamba, with the Executive Members of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, Lagos State Information Chapel and LASHMA Management Staff.
PIX 4: The Chairman, Nigeria Union of Journalists, Lagos State Information Chapel, Comrade Adebowale Adeniji addressing LASHMA General Manager, Dr. Emmanuella Zamba and Management Staff.
