The Lagos State Health Management Agency (LASHMA) in its drive towards the realization of the mandate of achieving Universal Health Coverage (UHC) for the state has established synergy with the Nigeria Employers Consultative Association (NECA).
The Chairman, Lagos State Health Management Agency (LASHMA) Governing Board, Dr. Adetokunbo Alakija, during a visit to the Director General, Nigeria Employers Consultative Association (NECA), Dr. Timothy Olawale, at NECA House, Ikeja, said that the partnership became necessary in order for the Agency to reach the informal sector including the Small and Medium Scale Enterprises (SMEs) in the State.
He said, “Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu considers the Lagos State Health Scheme to be fundamental as he places a very high premium on the wellbeing of all the residents in the State”.
Dr. Alakija said that since good health is germane to national development, he urged individual organisation in the State to enrol its workers on the Lagos State Health Scheme (LSHS). According to him, if workers are healthy, this would enhance their job performance, productivity and more profit for the organization.
He said that the informal sector no doubt constitute a large percentage in job creation and is therefore important in the economy of the country.
Responding, the Director General, Nigeria Employers Consultative Association, Dr. Timothy Olawale, said that the Lagos State Government right from inception has been passionate to the plight of its people and this is reflected in its various programmes, policies, provision of good infrastructure and good service delivery among others.
He said that its association would continue to support the Lagos State Government in the provision of Universal Health Coverage for the people adding that aside that the informal sector enrol their workers on the scheme, the families of the workers also needed to be enrolled in order for the workers to be focussed, dedicated to their duties and not to have any divided interest.
Dr. Timothy who lauded the Scheme, promised that he would not only reach the informal sector under NECA family but would also encouraged other associations which NECA has linked with to enrol on the Lagos State Health Scheme.
He said that promoting good health for the State and Nation is key to NECA, therefore, the association would do the needful to support the Agency.
A member of LASHMA Board, Mr. Lekan Ewenla, commended the Director General for supporting the Lagos State Government and the Agency in promoting Universal Health Coverage in the State.
He said that the payment of medical allowance by employers to its workers does not guarantee access to care as the workers may divert the medical allowance to other pressing needs but if employers enroll them directly on the Scheme, their access to good healthcare is guaranteed.
Others at the meeting included the Acting General Manager, Lagos State Health Management Agency, Dr. Emmanuella Zamba, LASHMA Head, Business Development and Marketing, Mr. Rotimi Olatunji, Operations, Dr. Olufemi Serrano, Regulations, Dr. Funmi Adeboje and NECA Director, Learning and Projects, Mrs Celine Oni, Deputy Director, Membership Services, Mr. Wale Oyerinde and Deputy Director, Legal, Regulatory andTax, Mr. Thompson Akpabio.