As a result of the partnership between the Lagos State government and Sterling Bank, residents of Lagos will soon be able to access high-quality healthcare services close to home.
In order to facilitate easy access to healthcare services for the city’s busy citizens, the financial institution is supporting the construction of a few Ilera Eko Virtual Booths throughout the state.
Ilera Eko was created by the Lagos State government as part of its initiatives to guarantee that residents of the aquatic city have access to less expensive healthcare and expanded health insurance.
However, despite this initiative, some residents have not been able to take advantage of the service due to their hectic schedules.
As a result, the bank teamed up with the Lagos State Health Management Agency to set up virtual booths at key locations throughout the state to bring healthcare closer to the populace.
The Divisional Head of Business Growth at Sterling Bank, Mr. Obinna Ukachukwu, said the bank and the agency planned to use technology to bring health these insurance booths to where the majority of the informal sector work, thereby expanding the reach of healthcare services to residents of the state.
The remarks were made at the recent inaugural Lagos State Insurance Summit, which was held in Lagos.
Mr. Ukachukwu pointed out that because most inhabitants receive daily wages from their places of employment, it is challenging for them to leave and visit the doctor when ill, necessitating the necessity for these primary healthcare services in numerous unofficial business hubs throughout the state.
In his remarks, the Governor of Lagos State, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, urged all parties to adhere to the National Health Insurance Authority Act and ensure compliance with the Lagos State Health Scheme law. He was represented by the Permanent Secretary in the Lagos State Ministry of Health, Dr. Olusegun Ogboye.
“These services include a full range of essential health services, from health promotion to prevention, treatment, rehabilitation, and palliative care,” he said, adding that the 300 booths currently built will be placed in areas in the state in a strategic manner.
He also said that prescriptions will be given to doctors through telemedicine for consultations and diagnoses, to be delivered to the neighborhood pharmacy where the medication would be filled.
Dr. Adebayo Adedewe, the Chairman of the LASHMA Governing Board, stated that the establishment of the Lagos State Health Scheme is a positive move and an ideal model to guarantee Lagosians have access to high-quality and reasonably priced healthcare services.
