The Joint Negotiating Council (JNC), Trade Union Side, Lagos State Chapter, has applauded the Governor of Lagos State, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, for his commitment to ensuring that Public Servants in the State are healthy and live a good life.
The newly elected Chairman of the Union, Comrade Michael Domingo, during a courtesy visit to the Lagos State Health Management Agency (LASHMA) with the new executive members, also commended the Agency for its improved service delivery and for being customer-centric. He said that the Union has been overwhelmed with various testimonials from Public Servants on the benefits enjoyed on ILERA EKO.
Comrade Domingo added that he is also aware of the cordial relationship between the Union and the Agency over the years. He urged LASHMA to also extend such a hand of fellowship to the Union under his leadership to ensure that Public Servants in the State will continue to have improved and seamless healthcare services on ILERA EKO.
The Chairman called on Public Servants under the Lagos State Government to access care through ILERA EKO, support the Agency and spread the good news of ILERA EKO.
The Permanent Secretary, LASHMA, Dr. Emmanuella Zamba, while decorating the Union Excos as ILERA EKO Champions, congratulated the Chairman, thanked the team for visiting and supporting the Agency in realizing its mandate.
Dr. Zamba said that there is no gainsaying in the fact that the Union has played a significant role in ensuring that Public Servants have a better knowledge of the Health Insurance Plan, its benefits package and also access to care at their various chosen providers. She said, “JNC has been the foundation of our relationship with the Public Servants in the State”.
The Permanent Secretary, who assured the JNC members that LASHMA would continue to join hands with them on how ILERA EKO can serve Public Servants better, added that the Scheme has improved over the years and would continue to improve.
She promised that LASHMA will organize an orientation programme for the new JNC Executives to familiarize them with the provisions of the Lagos State Health Scheme (LSHS) Law of 2015, the Executive Order signed by Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu in 2024 and other activities of the Agency.
Meanwhile, Dr. Zamba has again called on Lagos State Public Servants to know their rights and responsibilities as regards ILERA EKO to have a better experience on the Scheme.
The Permanent Secretary disclosed that Mr. Governor approved an additional benefit package for Public Servants, which some of the Lagos State workforce have been enjoying. She added that the additional benefits include cataract surgery, MRI and CT Scan, cancer treatment to the tune of N5 million, removal of fibroid, renal dialysis of up to 52 sessions in a year and admission of up to 90 days in case of prolonged illness.
Dr. Zamba said that others are orthopaedic surgery for fractures to the tune of N1 million, treatment of burns for up to N1 million and Prosthetics provision of up to N250,000.
The Permanent Secretary said that Retirees under the Lagos State Government also have access to a one-year free ILERA EKO Health Insurance Plan courtesy of Mr. Governor.
In case of any challenge while accessing care, Dr. Zamba urged Public Servants and Retirees not to hesitate to call LASHMA 24/7 Customer Service toll-free Lines 0800-ILERAEKO (0800-45372356) or 0800-ASKLASHMA (0800-275527462) while at the Hospital.
She added that they can also call LASHMA non-toll free Lines 09169185920 or 07040277029 or send a WhatsApp message only to 07045358275 or 07046160051.
The Permanent Secretary said that LASHMA Focal persons in each of the Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) can also be contacted whenever there is any challenge. She added that the Focal persons were introduced to improve the relationship between LASHMA and Public Servants.
The Vice Chairman of JNC, Comrade Abiodun Aladetan, who shared his testimonial about ILERA EKO, said that the Health Insurance Plan has reduced out-of-pocket payment of medical bills by the Enrollees including the Public Servants.
He appealed to Public Servants to get in touch with the Union if there is any unresolved issue by the Agency.
Other JNC members of the Lagos State Chapter who accompanied the new Chairman to LASHMA were Comrades Abiodun Bakare (Secretary), Tajudeen Gbadamosi (Treasurer) and Kabiawu Gbolahan (Ex-officio).
