Health Insurance Vital for Quality Healthcare Access, Says Governor Sanwo-Olu
Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu emphasized the critical role of health insurance in ensuring that citizens have access to quality healthcare services, during a meeting with the National Leadership of the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) on Monday.
Represented by his Deputy, Dr. Obafemi Hamzat, the governor spoke at the event held in Alausa, Ikeja, underscoring the importance of health insurance schemes in promoting a healthier population.
Sanwo-Olu urged the NMA to spearhead advocacy for health insurance across Nigeria, highlighting that many people struggle to afford healthcare independently. He noted that expanding health insurance coverage is a top priority for Lagos State, especially given its rapidly growing population.
“Every nation or state must prioritize the health of its citizens, particularly as many individuals find it challenging to fund their healthcare needs on their own,” Sanwo-Olu stated. He also stressed the importance of including private hospitals in health insurance schemes to ensure comprehensive healthcare management for all citizens.
The governor announced plans to establish the University of Medicine and Allied Science, which aims to significantly increase the number of medical doctors trained in the state, from 150 to around 1,000 annually.
“We are working to expand our Primary Health Centres so that we can better serve the people under our Lagos State Health Insurance Scheme. We’ve also included more private hospitals in the scheme, which is a model that should be replicated across the country to enhance access to health insurance,” Sanwo-Olu added.
During the meeting, NMA President Prof. Bala Audu praised the governor’s achievements in healthcare, including the Ilera Eko programme and the state’s effective response to the COVID-19 pandemic. He called for the governor’s support in the association’s advocacy efforts, particularly in the areas of facility regulation and improved welfare packages for healthcare professionals.
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Audu emphasized the need for collaboration between the government and medical professionals to achieve universal health coverage and align with international best practices in healthcare. He also urged Sanwo-Olu to champion these advocacies within the Nigerian Governors’ Forum and to President Bola Tinubu.
The NMA president further solicited support for the association’s National Secretariat building project and requested improved welfare packages for doctors in Lagos State, including the implementation of the revised CONMESS salary scale, non-taxable call duty allowance, and housing and car loans.
The meeting concluded with both parties reaffirming their commitment to advancing healthcare standards and ensuring that all Nigerians have access to essential medical services through robust health insurance schemes.
