Popular Nigerian singer Adekunle Gold and former Commissioner for Finance in Lagos State, Dr. Rabiu Olowo, in their commitment to give back to society and ensure that the vulnerable have access to quality and equitable healthcare services, have partnered with the Lagos State Health Management Agency (LASHMA) to enrol 13,500 sickle cell warriors and families on ILERA EKO through EKO Social Health Alliance (EKOSHA).
The Permanent Secretary, Lagos State Health Management Agency (LASHMA), Dr. Emmanuella Zamba, speaking at the sensitisation and enrollment of 1,000 sickle cell warriors and families on ILERA EKO Social Health Insurance held in Surulere and organised by Adekunle Gold Initiative, in conjunction with the Sickle Cell Advocacy and Management Initiative (SAMI) as well as the Ministry of Health, said that the partnership is expected to give hope to the sickle cell warriors’ families.
Noting that it would also reduce their out-of-pocket expenses for paying their medical bills, which are usually very expensive, Dr. Zamba said, “LASHMA has witnessed a legacy of compassion, vision, and purpose. The enrolment by Adekunle Gold Foundation and the signed agreement by Rabiu Olowo Foundation are testaments to the unwavering commitment to social impact and human dignity.
“It is particularly heartwarming that Adekunle Gold and Rabiu Olowo Foundations’ focus is on supporting individuals living with sickle cell disease. This group has long needed sustained attention and care”, she added.
Expressing her appreciation to the sponsors, Dr. Zamba said that the Agency is pleased to be part of the momentous initiatives and welcomes with great enthusiasm the Foundations’ intentions to partner with LASHMA to provide health insurance coverage for those living with sickle cell disease, as well as their family members. This, according to her, aligns with the mission of the Agency to ensure that no one is left behind.
She said, “There are some people whose children have sickle cell, it is not an easy task to take good care of these individuals. Whenever they take them to the hospital, they spend a lot. It is very expensive to maintain them”.
The Permanent Secretary said that interventions like this will not only offer direct medical support to the Enrollees but will also give their parents or caregivers financial protection, peace of mind, and create a pathway to better health equity.
Dr. Zamba said that with the partnership, more sickle cell warriors and family members would be covered, revealing that Adekunle Gold has enrolled 750 sickle cell warriors with LASHMA supporting with 250 additional slots to make a total of 1,000 warriors covered, and Dr. Rabiu Olowo will enroll 10,000 sickle cell patients with LASHMA supporting with an additional 2,500 to make a total of 12,500 sickle cell patients and families to be covered.
The Permanent Secretary called on Nigerians, home and abroad, to emulate Adekunle Gold and Dr. Rabiu Olowo to support the vulnerable by paying for their health insurance or adopting some vulnerable and paying for their premiums. No amount of the vulnerable sponsored or premium paid is too small, she added.
Dr. Zamba assured sponsors that frequent feedback will be given to them on how such money donated to onboard vulnerable individuals on the State Social Health Insurance is judiciously used.
She disclosed that residents interested in the sponsorship of the vulnerable can get in touch with the Agency by either sending an email to www.lashma.com, calling EKOSHA on 07042357243 or 0703 747 227, or visiting LASHMA Headquarters opposite The Secretariat, Alausa, Ikeja, main gate.
The Permanent Secretary said that, as regards vulnerable enrolment on the Health Insurance Scheme, the Lagos State Government is doing its best. She added that aside from dedicating one per cent of the Consolidated Revenue Fund (CRF) as Equity Fund, the Governor of Lagos State, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has also increased the Equity Fund from N1 Billion to N3 Billion to accommodate more vulnerable people.
Dr. Zamba said that similarly, Mr. Governor has also made the Equity Fund a first-line charge, and this made him the first Governor to do so in the country. While applauding Mr. Governor for his commitment to ensuring that the vulnerable also have access to equitable and unhindered healthcare services, she said that the Lagos State Government cannot do it alone; therefore, to achieve the Universal Health Coverage (UHC) journey in the State, it needs the collective responsibility of everyone.
