Lagos State Government Issues Executive Order for the Subscription to Health Insurance Scheme by All Residents and Workers in Lagos State

The Executive Governor of Lagos State has issued an Executive Order (‘the Order’) for the compulsory subscription to Social Health Insurance by all residents, employers, and workers in Lagos State (‘the State’). The Order has been issued in line with the objectives of the Lagos State Health Scheme (LSHS), which seeks to promote Universal Health Coverage in the State, guaranteeing residents of Lagos State access to quality healthcare services, irrespective of their socio-economic status. Please click here to download a copy of the Order.

Based on the Order, all residents, employers, and workers are required to subscribe to a Social Health Insurance Scheme (SHIS) either through the Lagos State Health Management Agency (LASHMA) or a private health insurance provider accredited by both the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA) and the Lagos State Government (LASG).

The Order is backed by the NHIA Act, 2022 (“the Act”), which mandates every state in Nigeria, including the Federal Capital Territory, to establish and implement a State Health Insurance and Contributory Scheme to provide health care for all residents. The Act also stipulates that every Nigerian resident must obtain health insurance. Under the Act, “residents” include all employers and employees in the public and private sectors with five or more staff, informal sector employees, and all other residents of Nigeria.

Please see our newsletter of June 2022 on the key provisions of the Act.

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