Lagos: Lagos State has introduced two new health insurance plans aimed at providing diasporans and festive-season visitors with affordable and reliable medical coverage, enhancing access and minimizing health risks during the bustling ‘Detty December’ period. Dr. Emmanuella Zamba, Permanent Secretary of the Lagos State Health Management Agency (LASHMA), announced this development at the agency’s 2025 fourth Quarter Media Parley in Lagos.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, Zamba highlighted that this initiative marks a significant expansion of the Ilera-Eko diaspora offerings, improving access, strengthening health financing, and accelerating progress toward Universal Health Coverage (UHC). The newly launched plans, Ilera-Eko Waka-Well and Ilera-Eko Home Konnect, were developed in response to increased demand from diasporans and the necessity to safeguard residents and visitors under the state’s mandatory health insurance framework.
Zamba emphasized that these plans align with the spirit of UHC Day and ref
lect the agency’s commitment to ensuring inclusivity in health coverage. LASHMA has partnered with private-sector entities like Pinnacle Global Business Services, Nomad Doc Ltd., and Mrs. Taiwo Salvador to market these products both locally and internationally. The rebranding of the diaspora package into two distinct plans aims to better serve travelers, diasporans, and families residing abroad who seek sustainable health coverage for their loved ones in Lagos.
She assured residents that previous policy adjustments regulating maternal and surgical services have started yielding positive outcomes. These changes, she noted, do not affect the benefit package promised under the social health insurance plan, as families can still access antenatal care, normal and cesarean delivery, and surgical services once conditions are met.
Similarly, Mr. Olanrewaju Bajulaiye, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Information and Strategy, described Ilera-Eko as the most affordable health package available to Lagos resident
s. He illustrated the plan’s cost-effectiveness, noting that a family of six could enjoy comprehensive health coverage for approximately N180 to N220 per day. Bajulaiye mentioned that the health scheme had already improved maternal outcomes in several communities, providing delivery services to women without the usual financial burden.
Mr. Jermaine Sanwo-Olu, Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Diaspora and Foreign Relations, praised LASHMA, calling the initiative a groundbreaking innovation in the African health insurance arena. He explained that the Waka-Well plan targets diasporans and visitors returning to Lagos during festive seasons, especially ‘Detty December’, ensuring they have affordable, reliable, and immediate health coverage. He described Lagos as a safe, welcoming, and economically vibrant destination deserving of an insurance model tailored to returning migrants and tourists.
According to him, the Home Konnect plan serves as a vital support system for millions of Nigerians abroad who
regularly remit money for healthcare but face sustainability challenges. The new plan provides structured, reliable coverage for loved ones in Lagos, eliminating the burden of unsustainable medical remittances.
LASHMA’s Head of Business Development, Mr. Rotimi Olatunji, explained that the Waka-Well plan covers basic illnesses common among travelers, such as malaria, typhoid, and diarrhea. The plan also includes diagnostics, emergency care, telemedicine, dental and eye services, and local ambulance evacuation. The Waka-Well plan costs N45,000 for a 90-day stay and N75,000 for multiple trips or extended stays.