*Extends coverage to public servants residing in Ogun State
By; MATTHEW UKACHUNWA, Lagos
Lagos State Government has said that it has widened the scope of its Ilera Eko Social Health Insurance Plan by introducing additional health benefits for public servants on the standard plan benefits package.
“The additional health benefits geared towards accommodating care for medical conditions which were not covered on the standard plan will include coverage of high technology CT scan and MRI in case of life-threatening conditions and emergencies; general ward admission and prolonged bed rest with maximum of 90 days, treatment of cancer; cataract removal surgery; removal of large fibroids; provision of prosthetic limbs, renal dialysis and extension of family plan coverage by one year for public servants on oracle who retires with effect from January, 2022,” Tunbosun Ogunbanwo, Director, Public Affairs, in the State’s Ministry of Health reported.
Speaking during a joint media briefing and sensitization among union leaders in the public service in Lagos State on “Ilera Eko
Additional Benefit Package to Civil Servants” which held at the Adeyemi Bero Auditorium on 10th February, the Head of Service, Lagos State Public Service, Mr. Hakeem Muri-Okunola disclosed that the State government designed the additional benefits as a support program for Public Servants to expand their health insurance coverage to cover more medical conditions as a means of ensuring that public servants and their family members have access to quality and affordable health care services.
“At the last engagement with the Lagos State Joint Negotiation Council (JNC), the Agency promised to review the scheme to see how benefits can be improved without changing the premiums payable. Today, I am happy that the Agency has not only kept its promise, but at the same time is also unveiling additional benefits on the Health Plan to Civil Servants, at no extra cost “As part of the New Initiative for You, the agency has designed a support program for public servants to accommodate medical conditions that are not covered under the standard benefit plan”.He said.
The Head of Service who was represented by the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Special Duties and Inter Governmental Relations, Mr. Ogundeko Sesan also disclosed that the State government has also introduced a trans-border Health Care provision for Lagos Public Servants residing in Ogun state to enable public servants residing in Ogun State have access to quality health services.
“We are also aware that a number of Lagos State Civil Servants living across the border in Ogun State were unable to benefit from the scheme as only Hospitals in Lagos State had hitherto participated in the Scheme. It is gratifying to note that this is now a thing of the past. In this regard, I must commend and appreciate the Government of Ogun State, the Honourable Commissioner for Health in Ogun State, as well as the Ogun State Health Insurance Agency, for supporting us in our commitment to leaving no one behind”. He said.
Earlier, Commissioner for Health, Professor Akin Abayomi in his remarks stated that the new package initiative which is at no cost will be a great relief for public servants who reside on the border of Ogun State and Lagos and will ensure that the affected public servants and their families have equal access to quality health care services.
Professor Akin Abayomi who was represented by the Chairman, Health Services Commission, Dr. Atinuke Onayiga explained further that the Lagos State Health Management Agency has also provided Tele medicine services for public servants at no cost. She added that public servants will have 24hours access to quality care as all enrolled public servants and their family members can speak with doctors via phone call and messages at any time of the day.
“The agency also made available Telemedicine- Eko Telemed -0800EKOMED (08000EKOMED) 08000356633 at no cost to civil servants. This will ensure all public servants have 24/7 access to quality care as all enrolled public servants and their families can speak to doctors via phone call Whats App or Video call any time of the day” he said.
Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Health, Dr. Olusegun Ogboye, in his remarks explained that health insurance is mandatory on all residents of the state and the government on its side is tirelessly playing its role in providing a sustainable health care services in the state without leaving anyone behind as the state is taking the lead in the provision of more advanced Insurance packages for residents.
“It is a really good thing that health insurance has come to stay in Lagos state and that is moving along now. Health insurance is actually now mandatory in this country and because Lagos state has taken the lead in establishing its own agency, you can be sure that you have a more advanced package than most people. We have more hospitals than most other places, we have more doctors than most other places and so the access to services will be a lot better for the same price or even less than most other places”. He said.
Dr. Ogboye however encourage public servants to take good advantage of the insurance packages and carefully select health facilities closest to them noting that the new insurance package now include pre- existing conditions like TB and HIV that was not initially covered
“So please take care to choose the facility that you want to register with. The package has been improved, we have added all kinds of services, including pre-existing conditions even TB and HIV that was not covered before for the same premium at no cost”. He said.
General Manager, Lagos State Health Management Agency, Dr. Emanuella Zamba also in her remarks assured that the agency will continue to monitor the utilization of the resources such that Lagosian have access to sustainable health care as promised by the present administration.
Dr. Zamba however, appreciated the Ogun State Government for agreeing to go on the laudable journey with Lagos State Government.
She assured that the initiatives will not stop here as there are still a lot going on behind them to ensure that every one can enjoy their right to health care.
