The Lagos State Management Health Agency (LASHMA) has launched the Ilera Eko Customer mobile application and USSD gateway to provide improved access to affordable and quality care through increased uptake of Health Insurance in Lagos State.
While delivering his keynote speech at the launch, the Lagos State Commissioner for Health, Prof. Akin Abayomi said the launch supports Lagos State Government’s T.H.E.M.E.S Agenda particularly Health and Technology, adding that LASHMA has continued to improve lives and prevent catastrophic health spending for Lagos residents.
Prof Abayomi said “the need for technology innovations in enhancing the efficiency of LASHMA operations as a tool towards achieving universal health coverage is imperative and as such the launch of ILERA EKO customer APP and USSD channel is a step in the right direction. It is my belief and considered opinion that the APP when fully operational will act as a catalyst in achieving the cardinal objectives of the Lagos State Government’s T.H.E.M.E.S Agenda Health and Technology.“
The Commissioner thereafter noted that the continuous drive by the Agency to provide more digital innovations as a means of widening access to residents to improve uptake is imperative, pledging the support of the Ministry of Health to ensure that all residents are covered under the ILERA EKO SOCIAL HEALTH INSURANCE PLANS.
While giving his welcome remarks, Barr Ayo Adebusoye, the Board member of LASHMA, highlighted that ILERA EKO Social Health Insurance Plans is a social protection plan designed to support health which is one of the pillars of the T.H.E.ME.S agenda of Lagos State.
Barr Adebusoye noted that the technology platform would provide Lagos Residents the ease of uptake of Health Insurance which will provide seamless access and provides a gateway for residents to meet the mandatory enrollment demands of the new National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA) Act which has made the State Social Health Insurance compulsory for all Nigerians (Lagos Residents inclusive) with emphasis on state-administered schemes.
Adebusoye said, “the ILERA EKO Mobile Customer App and USSD gateway will no doubt increase the uptake of Health Insurance in Lagos State remarkably and ensure our customers have easy access and exploration of our services from the comfort of their homes.”
He appealed to Lagos residents to download and use the Customer APP and USSD channel to ensure that Lagos State achieves the implementation of Universal Health Coverage.
The EKOTELEMED Mobile App can be downloaded on mobile appstores while the USSD channel can be accessed via *6700*006#. The Mobile app and USSD channel would make enrolment more accessible for persons with disabilities as they can register for the health scheme without going to registration points physically.