In its commitment to ensure that residents at the grassroots have access to affordable, effective and quality healthcare, the Lagos State Health Management Agency, LASHMA, has partnered with First Bank of Nigeria Limited to utilise its 13,000 Firstmonie Agents as payment channels for the Lagos State Health Scheme, LSHS.
LASMA General Manager, Dr. Emmanuella Zamba, disclosed this during the flag-off of the scheme in Alausa, saying that the partnership became necessary to facilitate ease of health insurance premium transactions for residents, especially at the grassroots.
Noting that First Bank of Nigeria Limited was selected for the partnership in recognition of its effectiveness, efficiency and large clientele base, Zamba said, “The Agency realised that not all residents can go to the Bank or use online platforms for the payment of their health insurance premiums, hence the Agency identified the need for other payment platforms such as the Firstmonie agents,”
She asserted that the partnership would avail residents the opportunity to pay either N40,000 annually for a family plan or N8,500 annually for an individual plan, through any of the Firstmonie agents.
She added that once the insurance premium is paid before the 25th of every month, the enrollee can receive care from the first day of the following month at any public or private hospital of their choice within the scheme’s network of providers.
Commending First Bank’s good gesture, Dr. Zamba urged other corporate and multinational organisations to support the agency towards ensuring that Lagos residents, irrespective of their tribal, cultural or religious differences, access quality healthcare.
She informed that efforts are being intensified to ensure that residents can also enroll for the scheme at any of the Firstmonie Agents situated within their localities.
Deputy Managing Director, First Bank of Nigeria Limited, Mr. Gbenga Shobo, while commended the Lagos State government for its determination to ensure the good health and wellbeing of all residents, said, “The initiative will have a crucial role in improving life expectancy of Lagos residents, whilst promoting their increased contribution to the growth and development of the State”.
Imploring residents not to hesitate to pay their health insurance premiums at any of the Firstmonie agents located in all the local governments and Local Council Development Areas, LCDAs, of the state in order to have their health secured, Shobo urged all residents to register and enrol on the scheme in order to enjoy the good gesture of the present administration led by Mr. Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu.
