The Lagos State Government has unveiled LASHMA Assistance in Distress (LASHMA Aid), a new emergency healthcare initiative designed to provide swift, coordinated and affordable medical response for residents under the Ilera Eko health insurance scheme.
Speaking at the official launch in Ikeja, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Health, Dr Kemi Ogunyemi, described the initiative as a major milestone in the implementation of social health insurance in the state.
She said LASHMA Aid was developed pursuant to the Executive Order signed by Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu on July 16, 2024, which made health insurance mandatory for Lagos residents.
Dr Ogunyemi commended the Governor for prioritising health as a key pillar of the THEMES+ development agenda, noting that his administration has consistently invested in hospital infrastructure, digital innovation, emergency response and healthcare worker welfare. She highlighted improvements across the sector, including the upgrading of primary healthcare centres, expansion of emergency services and the strengthening of disease control systems.
According to her, Lagos currently has over 326 functional primary healthcare centres, with more facilities upgraded under the World Bank–assisted IMPACT programme. She added that the state’s commitment to universal health coverage has reduced out-of-pocket medical expenses and protected residents from catastrophic health spending.
Dr Ogunyemi further disclosed that the Governor has increased the health equity fund from ₦1 billion to ₦3 billion annually and made it a first-line charge, describing the move as unprecedented in Nigeria. She urged residents to enrol in the Ilera Eko scheme, stressing that health insurance provides financial protection during unexpected medical emergencies.
Explaining the operational framework of LASHMA Aid, she said residents can access emergency services through the state’s emergency numbers 767 or 112, while medical emergencies can also be reported via the Lagos State Ambulance Service (LASAMBUS). She noted that the state has expanded the LASAMBUS fleet with ambulance bikes and advanced mobile intensive care units to improve response times, especially in traffic-congested areas.
She added that LASAMBUS treated over 5,000 patients this year alone, while plans are underway to recruit additional nurses and emergency responders to further strengthen capacity.
Dr Ogunyemi described LASHMA Aid as “a lifeline, not just a programme,” stressing that no Lagos resident should be denied emergency care due to cost, confusion or delay. She called on healthcare providers and ambulance operators to support the initiative with professionalism, integrity and accurate data reporting.
Earlier, the Chairman of the Lagos State Health Management Agency (LASHMA), Dr Adedayo Adedewe, said LASHMA Aid represents a new approach to emergency medical care in the state. He explained that the initiative was created to address gaps in emergency response by providing up to 48 hours of stabilisation care for active Ilera Eko enrollees and vulnerable residents.
Dr Adedewe said extensive stakeholder engagements, training sessions and webinars had been conducted to ensure that both empanelled and non-empanelled healthcare providers understand the programme’s processes and expectations. He added that provider handbooks have also been developed to guide implementation.
He emphasised that LASHMA Aid integrates hospitals, ambulance services and emergency coordination units into a single response pathway, ensuring timely intervention and safer inter-facility transfers. While assuring providers of LASHMA’s support, he warned that sanctions would be applied where abuses are detected to protect the integrity of the programme.
In a remark, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Information and Strategy, Mr Olanrewaju Bajulaiye, represented by Prince Adesegun Ogundeji, said the initiative would make emergency healthcare more accessible and affordable for Lagos residents.
The state government expressed confidence that LASHMA Aid will become a dependable emergency lifeline and a model for organised emergency healthcare delivery in Nigeria.