Category: health

…Commissions five Virtual Booths

…Becomes Grand Ambassador of Universal Health Coverage

Emmanuel Clement 

In line with his administration’s commitment to provide quality, affordable and efficient health care services for Lagos residents, Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu on Tuesday launched the Ilera Eko Standard Jaara Health Insurance scheme.

The Governor also commissioned five Ilera Eko Virtual Booths installed in five locations across the State to provide accessible healthcare to people in the informal sector, particularly market men and women, artisans and other stakeholders at the grassroots.

The Ilera Eko Standard Jaara Health Insurance scheme has Telemedicine as part of its permanent component, annual medical screening, Cardiology, Ear, Nose and Throat, Orthopedic treatments, among others.

Governor Sanwo-Olu was decorated during the programme as the Grand Ambassador of Universal Health Coverage in Lagos. His deputy, Dr. Obafemi Hamzat was also decorated as Ambassador for Ilera Eko.

According to the Governor, the initiatives launched on Tuesday further confirmed the Lagos State Health Management Agency, LASHMA’s long history of improving healthcare accessibility.

Speaking at the event, Governor Sanwo-Olu said the new initiatives marked a significant milestone in health insurance for Lagos State and Nigeria, assuring Lagos residents that his administration will continue to introduce policies and reforms that make healthcare accessible and affordable.

He urged the residents to take good care of their health for their benefit, family and for the good and prosperity of Lagos State.

Governor Sanwo-Olu called on the informal sector which constitutes 70 percent of the population in Lagos State to seize the opportunity of the new initiatives and enroll on ILERA EKO in order to reduce out-of-pocket and huge payment of medical bills.

Governor Sanwo-Olu said he just signed an Executive Order to further strengthen the new Health initiatives and therefore urged Lagos residents to embrace Lagos State Health Scheme.

“The Enforcement team to handle the implementation of the Lagos State Health Scheme, (LSHS) Law and the domestication of the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA) Act, has been constituted and trained. Even though this administration believes more in enlightenment than enforcement, the law still needs to be implemented and obeyed. Therefore, violators of the law will not go unpunished when the Enforcement takes full effect.”

Speaking earlier, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Health, Mrs. Oluwakemi Ogunyemi, commended the Sanwo-Olu administration’s commitment to the health initiatives, noting that Lagos State places value on the lives and health of its citizens.

The Chairman, Governing Council of LASHMA, Mr. Adebayo Adedewe, who said a total of 300 Virtual booths are being proposed across the State to take care of the people at the grassroots, said the new initiatives by LASHMA is to ensure that more residents have access to quality and affordable healthcare.

According to Adedewe, the Ilera Eko Virtual Booth Initiative launched by the Governor will be available in five locations of Lagos State, which are Yaba, Ketu Bus Stop, Ketu; Adamo market, Ikorodu; Sabo market, Ikorodu and Ayetoro market, Epe.

He said: “To enjoy the Standard Jaara Health Insurance Plan, an individual will pay a premium of N15, 000 per annum. Payment of premium on our family plan has been stratified in line with the feedback received from our Enrollees. While a family of four consisting of the father, mother and two children below 23 years, will pay N55,000 per annum, a family of six, consisting of the father, mother and four children also below 23 years, will pay N80,000 per annum. Additional dependents below 23 years old will pay N10, 000 per annum.”

 

Emmanuel lkpeama 

The Somolu Local Government Chairman, Hon. Abdul Hamed Salawu, also known as ‘Dullar,’ has commended Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu for reinstating environmental sanitation in Lagos State. He described the measure as proactive in combating floods, cholera, and other potential disasters.

ln a press release signed by the Chief Press Secretary to the Chairman,Owolabi Ajimomuya Oseni,Hon. Salawu urged residents of Somolu to support this government initiative, which aims to benefit the community. The environmental sanitation exercise will take place on the last Saturday of each month between 7 a.m. and 10 a.m.

The Chairman emphasized the importance of community involvement and announced that the Community Development Committees (CDC) and Community Development Associations (CDAs) will work alongside Environmental Health Officers to enforce the exercise.

He encouraged residents to actively participate in maintaining a cleaner and healthier environment. This collective effort is expected to enhance the overall quality of life in Somolu and contribute to the state’s broader environmental goals.

Chijioke Oko

The Lagos State Government has issued a call for heightened vigilance and the adoption of precautionary measures to prevent the spread of a potential cholera outbreak in the State. This call follows an excess of severe gastroenteritis cases reported in Lagos in the last 48 hours.

Speaking on the surveillance reports reaching his desk in the Ministry of Health, Lagos State Commissioner for Health, Prof. Akin Abayomi disclosed that cases of severe gastroenteritis have been reported in communities around Eti Osa, Lagos Island, Ikorodu and Kosofe LGA, resulting in about 60 hospital admissions and sadly five deaths have been recorded mainly from patients presenting late with extreme dehydration.

“We have activated a statewide heightened surveillance and response. The Ministry of Health Directorate of Environmental Health and the Lagos State Environmental Protection Agency (LASEPA) have been alerted to investigate a possible water contamination source in the Lekki Victoria Island axis. We suspect a possible cholera outbreak; however, samples have been taken for confirmation. As of April 28, 2024, Nigeria reported 815 suspected cholera cases and 14 deaths across 25 states.”

The Commissioner noted that following recent rains, Lagos State has seen a notable increase in cases of severe vomiting and watery stools, adding that urban slums and crowded areas with poor sanitation are particularly at risk.

Prof. Akin Abayomi explained that cholera is a highly contagious disease that causes severe diarrhea and can be life-threatening, adding that it poses a significant health burden in areas with poor water treatment and sanitation, and could impact Lagos State.

“Cholera spreads through direct transmission by eating or drinking contaminated food or water, and indirect transmission due to poor sanitation and lack of hand washing. Symptoms of cholera include severe watery diarrhea, vomiting, rapid dehydration, muscle cramps, fever and sometimes collapse,” he said.

According to him, treatment options for cholera include rehydration using Oral Rehydration Salts (ORS) for mild to moderate dehydration. Intravenous Fluids is used for severely dehydrated patients given only in medical facilities and supervised by medical personnel.

“To prevent cholera, citizens are urged to ensure safe drinking water by boiling, chlorinating, or using bottled water, and avoiding ice products made from untreated water. Maintaining proper sanitation by using toilets, safely disposing of feces, and avoiding open defecation is crucial.

“Practicing good hygiene, such as washing hands with soap and clean water regularly, especially before eating, preparing food, and after using the toilet, is essential and following food safety guidelines,” the Commissioner advised.

He enjoined citizens to rely on the Lagos State Ministry of Health, the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), and accredited local health facilities for guidance, advice, and updates on prevention, treatment, and management. He added that suspected cases can be reported via the following emergency hotlines: 08023169485, 08137412348, or by using helplines 767 or 112.

While emphasizing the importance of maintaining high standards of hygiene and taking proactive measures to prevent cholera outbreaks, Professor Abayomi promised to keep the public informed and restated the commitment of the Government of Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu to ensuring the health and well-being of its citizens. “We urge everyone to adopt these preventive measures and report any suspected cases promptly to safeguard our communities,” he stated.