By David Oluwatosin
The Lagos State Government has set December 31, 2026, as the deadline for residents to obtain health insurance ahead of the formal enforcement of its mandatory health insurance policy from January 1, 2027.
The state government also unveiled the Lagos Private Health Plans (LPHP), a new initiative designed to extend health insurance coverage to salaried workers and corporate organisations, complementing the existing Ilera Eko scheme for vulnerable residents and workers in the informal sector.
The policy was announced alongside the flag-off of enforcement of Executive Order EO/BOS/01 of 2024, marking a renewed push by the state to expand health insurance coverage and reduce the financial burden of medical expenses on households.
The government said 21 Health Maintenance Organisations (HMOs) had already partnered with the initiative to expand insurance coverage across the private sector.
As part of efforts to ensure that low-income residents are not excluded from the programme, the state government has increased its Health Equity Fund from ₦1 billion to ₦3 billion.
According to the government, the expanded fund will enable it to pay insurance premiums directly for more than 500,000 residents who cannot afford coverage independently.
The intervention is intended to protect vulnerable households from unexpected medical bills and improve access to healthcare services, particularly for residents who might otherwise delay treatment because of financial constraints.
The government said the Ilera Eko scheme would continue to cater for vulnerable citizens and workers in the informal sector, while the new LPHP would target corporate organisations and salaried employees.
The state government also reiterated that healthcare providers must not deny patients emergency treatment because they lack money or insurance documentation.
It said hospitals across Lagos were required to stabilise patients needing emergency care before discussing payment arrangements or insurance details.
The measure is intended to prevent financial barriers from delaying urgent medical attention and to protect patients whose lives may be at risk.
The government said the expansion of health insurance was necessary amid rising healthcare costs and the limitations of relying entirely on out-of-pocket payments when medical emergencies occur.
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The state government urged business owners and employers to ensure that their employees were covered under the applicable health insurance arrangements, describing employee healthcare as a mandatory responsibility comparable to pension obligations.
It also said stronger healthcare financing would help improve the health system, support medical professionals and reduce pressures that contribute to the loss of skilled healthcare workers.
The government maintained that expanding insurance coverage would help families manage healthcare expenses, encourage people to seek treatment when necessary and strengthen access to quality medical services.
With the December 31, 2026 deadline approaching, residents, employers and corporate organisations are expected to make arrangements to comply before formal enforcement begins on January 1, 2027.
The state government said the policy was aimed at building a healthcare system in which residents could access treatment without being forced to choose between medical care and their household finances.
