LASHMA Holds First Quarter Providers’ Meeting, Moves to Enforce Mandatory Health Insurance

The Lagos State Health Management Agency (LASHMA) has convened its First Quarter 2026 Healthcare Providers’ Engagement Meeting, signalling plans to commence enforcement of mandatory health insurance across hospitals in the state.
Speaking at the meeting held in Alausa, the Permanent Secretary of LASHMA, Dr Emmanuella Zamba, said that after months of sustained sensitisation, the agency is set to begin structured enforcement to expand coverage and strengthen financial protection for residents.
Represented by the Coordinator, Regulations, Mr. Tosin Awosika, Zamba explained that the engagement was designed to assess providers’ readiness for enforcement, while also serving as part of LASHMA’s quarterly stakeholder forum aimed at promoting transparency, accountability, and continuous improvement within the health insurance value chain.

She disclosed that enforcement activities began in February 2026 across Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) of the Lagos State Government and will be extended in phases to public and private healthcare facilities, as well as the formal and informal sectors.
According to her, the enforcement drive is not punitive but intended to ensure compliance with existing laws and protect residents from catastrophic and out-of-pocket medical expenses.
“We are not locking up facilities or victimising anyone. Our goal is to ensure that every Lagos resident is covered under a structured health insurance plan,” she said, stressing that health insurance remains a critical safeguard against unforeseen medical costs.

Zamba noted that with Lagos’ population approaching 30 million, enrollment figures must improve significantly for the state to achieve Universal Health Coverage (UHC). She emphasised that health insurance is mandatory under the law, placing responsibility on both providers and residents to comply.
She urged healthcare providers to establish and strengthen enrollment desks within their facilities to enable on-the-spot registration of uninsured patients. She also reiterated that patients must first be stabilised in life-threatening emergencies before any request for proof of insurance, in line with existing regulations.

The Permanent Secretary added that LASHMA has commenced compliance and readiness visits to empanelled facilities, beginning with public institutions before extending to private providers. These visits, she said, will assess operational readiness, enrollment processes, documentation standards, and adherence to scheme guidelines.
Highlighting findings from recent reviews, Zamba pointed to inadequate clinical documentation as a major challenge, urging providers to prioritise proper record-keeping, clear escalation procedures, and strict adherence to standard treatment protocols.

She further directed healthcare facilities to lead by example by enrolling their staff under the ILERA EKO Health Insurance Plan, noting that credibility in public advocacy begins with internal compliance.
Zamba also affirmed ongoing collaboration between LASHMA and the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA) to align enforcement strategies and strengthen regulatory oversight in the state.
She encouraged open dialogue and feedback from stakeholders, assuring that inputs from previous engagements are being integrated into ongoing reforms.

“Our shared objective is to build a system that guarantees access, ensures quality, and strengthens trust. Enforcement is not about control; it is about protection — for residents, providers, and the integrity of the scheme,” she added.
In her remarks, the Provider Network Manager, Mrs. Bukola Badejo, commended participants for their engagement and reaffirmed LASHMA’s commitment to working closely with healthcare providers to achieve universal health coverage and improved healthcare outcomes in Lagos State.