By Oluwafunke Ishola
Lagos State has introduced two new health insurance plans to give diasporans and festive-season visitors affordable, reliable medical coverage, strengthening access and reducing health risks during the high-traffic “Detty December” period.
Dr Emmanuella Zamba, Permanent Secretary, Lagos State Health Management Agency (LASHMA), made the disclosure on Tuesday at the agency’s 2025 fourth Quarter Media Parley in Lagos.
Zamba noted that the initiative marked a major expansion of its Ilera-Eko diaspora offerings, deepening access, strengthening health financing and accelerating progress toward Universal Health Coverage (UHC).
She explained that the new plans; Ilera-Eko Waka-Well and Ilera-Eko Home Konnect, were designed in response to rising demand from diasporans and the growing need to protect residents and visitors under the state’s mandatory health insurance framework.
Zamba emphasised that the introduction of the plans aligns with the spirit of UHC Day, and reflects the agency’s commitment to ensuring that no one is left behind.
She disclosed that LASHMA partnered with private-sector players; Pinnacle Global Business Services, Nomad Doc Ltd., and Mrs Taiwo Salvador, to market the products locally and internationally.
According to her, the rebranding of the diaspora package into two distinct plans will better serve travellers, diasporans and families living abroad who want sustainable health coverage for loved ones in Lagos.
She further assured residents that earlier policy adjustments regulating maternal and surgical services have started yielding positive results.
Zamba noted that the changes does not affect the benefit package promised under the social health insurance plan, stressing that families can still access antenatal care, normal and ceasarean delivery, and surgical services once conditions are met.
Similarly, Mr Olanrewaju Bajulaiye, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Information and Strategy, described Ilera-Eko as the most affordable health package available to Lagos residents.
He illustrated the cost-effectiveness of the plan, noting that a family of six could enjoy full health coverage for about N180 to N220 per day.
Bajulaiye said the health scheme had already transformed maternal outcomes in several communities, citing examples of women who benefitted from delivery services under the programme without the usual financial strain.
Mr Jermaine Sanwo-Olu, Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Diaspora and Foreign Relations, commended LASHMA, describing the initiative as groundbreaking innovation in the African health insurance ecosystem.
He explained that the Waka-Well plan targets diasporans and visitors returning to Lagos during festive seasons, especially “Detty December”, ensuring they have affordable, reliable and immediate health coverage.
He described Lagos as a safe, welcoming and economically vibrant destination that deserves an insurance model tailored to returning migrants and tourists.
According to him, the Home Konnect plan remains a lifeline for millions of Nigerians abroad who regularly send money home for healthcare but struggle with sustainability.
The new plan, he emphasised, provides structured, reliable coverage for loved ones in Lagos, and eliminates the burden of unsustainable medical remittances.
LASHMA’s Head of Business Development, Mr Rotimi Olatunji, explained that the Waka-Well plan offers coverage for basic illnesses common among travellers such as malaria, typhoid and diarrhoea.
Olatunji said the plan also covers diagnostics, emergency care, telemedicine, dental and eye services, and local ambulance evacuation.
The plan, he noted, costs N45,000 for a 90-day stay and N75,000 for multiple trips or extended stays.
He pointed out that over 550,000 Nigerians arrived through the Lagos airport by mid-November 2024, spending over N350 billion during the season. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)
Edited by Olawunmi Ashafa
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