The Lagos State Health Management Agency (LASHMA), in its drive towards the realisation of its mandate of achieving Universal Health Coverage (UHC) in the State, is set to collaborate with the Nigeria Employers Consultative Association (NECA).

The Chairman of the Governing Board, Lagos State Health Management Agency (LASHMA), Dr. Adetokunbo Alakija, speaking during a visit to the Director-General, Nigeria Employers Consultative Association (NECA), Dr. Timothy Olawale, at NECA House, Ikeja, said that the partnership became necessary to enable the Agency reach the informal sector, including the Small and Medium Scale Enterprises (SMEs) in the State.

He said, “Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu considers the Lagos State Health Scheme to be very important to the people as it places a very high premium on the wellbeing of all the residents in the State”.

While stressing that good health is germane to national development, he urged corporate organisations and companies in the State to enrol their workers on the Lagos State Health Scheme (LSHS), in order to enhance their job performance, productivity and improve profitability for their businesses.

He emphasised that the informal sector constitutes a large percentage of employers of labour and is, therefore, important in the economy of the country.

Responding, the Director-General, Nigeria Employers Consultative Association (NECA), Dr. Timothy Olawale, said that the Lagos State Government, right from inception, has been passionate about the plight of its people, which is reflected in its various programmes, policies, provision of good infrastructure and effective service delivery, among others.

He disclosed that NECA would continue to support the State Government to provide Universal Health Coverage for the people, adding that it is not only ideal that the informal sector enrols their workers on the scheme, the families of the workers also need to be enrolled to keep them focussed and dedicated to their duties.

Dr. Olawale, who lauded the establishment of the Scheme, promised that he would not only reach out to the informal sector under the NECA family, but would also encourage other affiliate associations to enrol on the Lagos State Health Scheme, adding that promoting good health for the State and Nation is key to NECA.

A member of LASHMA Board, Mr. Lekan Ewenla, commended the Director-General for supporting the Lagos State Government and the Agency in promoting Universal Health Coverage in the State.

He said that the payment of medical allowance to its employees does not guarantee access to care as the workers may divert the medical allowance to other pressing needs, but if employers enrol them directly on the Scheme, their access to good healthcare is guaranteed.

Others present at the meeting included the Acting General Manager, Lagos State Health Management Agency, Dr. Emmanuella Zamba; Head, Business Development and Marketing, LASHMA, Mr. Rotimi Olatunji; Director, Learning and Projects, NECA, Mrs. Celine Oni; Deputy Director, Membership Services, NECA, Mr. Wale Oyerinde and Deputy Director, Legal, Regulatory and Tax, NECA, Mr. Thompson Akpabio among others.

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