RE: LAGOS STATE GOVERNOR’S EXECUTIVE ORDER ON COMPULSORY SUBSCRIPTION TO SOCIAL HEALTH INSURANCE

The Nigeria Universal Health Coverage (UHC) Forum received with great enthusiasm the news of the Executive Order signed by His Excellency Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, the Executive Governor of Lagos State. This order, which makes it mandatory for workers and residents of Lagos State to subscribe to the social health insurance scheme, is a monumental step towards promoting the health and well-being of the people of Lagos State. We are equally thrilled by the state government’s decision to release the equity fund regularly, which is meant to purchase health insurance premiums for the poor and vulnerable residents of the state. The Nigeria UHC Forum would like to underscore the import of the giant stride taken by the State Government as mandatory participation in health insurance and subsidization of the poor and vulnerable population are sine quo non for achieving Universal Health Coverage.

The Nigeria UHC Forum also observed with satisfaction the introduction of an appropriate measure to ensure compliance of Lagos State residents with the Executive Order. We urge the Lagos State Health Management Agency (LASHMA), the Lagos State Ministry of Health, other relevant MDAs, development partners and Civil Society to take advantage of the unprecedented opportunity and put in place the necessary implementation modalities to set Lagos State on the trajectory of the Universal Health Coverage.

As the Lagos State Government has set the stage for creating an enabling policy environment for fulfilling conditions for health coverage universality, we seize this auspicious moment to appeal to other states in Nigeria to put necessary measures in place and emulate the remarkable political commitment of the Lagos State Government. The Lagos State Government’s actions should serve as a beacon of inspiration for other states to expand access of the residents to quality health care with financial protection. Specifically, we call all the State Governors to 1.) sign similar Executive Orders that mandate their residents and workers to subscribe to social health insurance schemes, 2.) regularly release equity funds, and 3.) make adequate provisions for health infrastructure, health workers’ welfare and health commodities. We also use this medium to call on the Nigeria Governors’ Forum to prioritize Universal Health Coverage and create a peer comparison mechanism to catalyze the implementation of policies that will accelerate UHC progress.

The Nigeria UHC Forum salutes the efforts of various stakeholders that culminated in the enactment of the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA) Act 2022. We use this medium to call on the NHIA to accelerate the implementation of the legal framework, especially the Vulnerable Group Fund and the mandatory participation provisions of the Act.

Finally, while Nigeria is yet to occupy its deserved position in the comity of nations, considering its human capital and economic potential, we remain unflinchingly optimistic that we can turn the tide and set UHC examples for other African countries to follow. With the right policies and political commitments, Nigeria has the potential to lead the way in Universal Health Coverage, and we are hopeful for the future.