Lagos Assembly Approves Health Insurance Scheme Bill

The Lagos State House of
Assembly (LAHA), Monday, gave its final approval to the State Health Insurance Bill.
The scheme, when it becomes operational, will apply to all residents of the state-employees in the private and public sectors, the self-employed and the unemployed.
The executive bill which had passed the third reading shall consist of a basic, defined minimum benefit package of healthcare services for Primary Care.
Part of the highlight of the bill was that when passed into law, the scheme would provide healthcare services to contributors in direct proportion to their contributions.
Mr Suuru Avoseh, the Chairman, LAHA’s Committee on Health Services who presented the report on the bill, said that it would allow the residents have access to good medical care when it becomes functional.
Avoseh said that when passed into law, it would afford Lagos residents the opportunity to access medical care through a health insurance scheme.
Also, Mr Rotimi Olowo, (APC-Shomolu I) suggested that the agency that would be managing the scheme should not be independent, but that it should be under a ministry.
He said that the funds that would accrue to the agency should be properly monitored.