Victoria Tokolo
The Lagos State Government has intensified efforts to improve healthcare delivery by reviewing its Drug Access Expansion (DAE) Programme aimed at ensuring easier access to quality medicines for enrollees of the ILERA EKO and EKO Social Health Alliance (EKOSHA) schemes
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Speaking at the DAE Programme Review Meeting held at the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI), Alausa, Ikeja, the Permanent Secretary of the Lagos State Health Management Agency (LASHMA), Dr. Emmanuella Zamba, said the initiative reflects the state government’s commitment to making healthcare more accessible, efficient and seamless for residents.
Dr. Zamba explained that the DAE Programme was introduced in April 2024 following repeated complaints from enrollees over the unavailability of prescribed drugs and incomplete dispensing of medications at healthcare facilities.
According to her, the programme was designed as a strategic intervention to guarantee timely, uninterrupted and comprehensive access to essential medicines under the ILERA EKO Health Insurance Scheme.
She revealed that six months after implementation, LASHMA engaged an independent consultant to evaluate the programme through customer satisfaction surveys and direct feedback from enrollees to assess its impact and identify areas for improvement.
The permanent secretary reaffirmed the agency’s resolve to continue introducing reforms that would improve healthcare outcomes and boost patient satisfaction across Lagos State.
She noted that Lagos had remained at the forefront of healthcare innovation and social health insurance implementation in Nigeria, adding that the DAE initiative could serve as a model for other states seeking to strengthen access to affordable healthcare.
Dr. Zamba also commended healthcare providers, community pharmacies and partner facilities for their support and efficiency, describing them as critical stakeholders in the success of the programme due to their direct interaction with patients.
She urged providers to deepen collaboration with the state government to ensure the sustainability of the health insurance scheme and advance the goal of achieving Universal Health Coverage (UHC).
Calling for active participation from community pharmacies in the review process, she stressed the need for practical solutions that would enhance operational efficiency and guarantee enrollees access to covered medications without stress or out-of-pocket expenses.
According to her, recommendations from stakeholders would help reshape the programme into a more customer- and provider-friendly model.
Also speaking at the event, the Registrar of the Pharmacy Council of Nigeria (PCN), Lagos Zonal Office, Pharm. Ibrahim Ahmed, represented by Pharm. Dr. Taiwo Filusi, praised LASHMA for improving access to quality healthcare services and medicines for residents.
Ahmed described the integration of community pharmacies into the ILERA EKO healthcare system as a significant step that would improve convenience, accessibility and efficiency in pharmaceutical service delivery.
He noted that the review meeting provided an important platform for stakeholders to assess progress, identify challenges, share lessons and develop strategies for improved implementation and sustainability of the programme.
The Executive Secretary of the Health Facility Monitoring and Accreditation Agency (HEFAMAA), Dr. Victoria Egunjobi, also commended LASHMA for sustaining efforts to strengthen healthcare delivery through collaboration with community pharmacies.
She stressed that partnerships among stakeholders remain essential to ensuring access to quality healthcare services and safe medications for residents of the state.
Similarly, the Regional Manager, Southwest, Society for Family Health (SFH), Mrs Jennifer Ladokun, speaking on behalf of supporting partners, applauded the state government for expanding affordable healthcare access through strategic partnerships.
She reaffirmed the commitment of SFH and the ACIOE Foundation to supporting Lagos State’s drive towards equitable healthcare access and Universal Health Coverage
