The Lagos State Government has launched biometric card readers for the Ilera Eko Social Health Plan in a move designed to strengthen healthcare access and tackle enrollee impersonation across public and private health facilities.
The Lagos State Health Management Agency (LASHMA), in collaboration with the Lagos State Residents Registration Agency (LASSRA), says the biometric system fully integrates with the LASSRA database to authenticate enrollees using their unique LASSRA ID.
The chip-based LASSRA ID, which doubles as a multifunctional card, enables identity verification, healthcare access, and payment processing, offering a unified solution to improve patient identification in Lagos hospitals.
The chip-based LASSRA ID, which doubles as a multifunctional card, enables identity verification, healthcare access, and payment processing, offering a unified solution to improve patient identification in Lagos hospitals.
Ilera Eko: Lagos to verify enrollees using their unique LASSRA ID
Fighting impersonation with technology
Dr Emmanuella Zamba, Permanent Secretary of LASHMA, represented by Tosin Awosika, Coordinator of Regulation at LASHMA, describes the rollout as a “landmark moment” in Lagos State’s drive towards universal health coverage.
“This launch is not just about deploying devices,” Zamba says. “It is about deepening our commitment to building a health system that is accessible, accountable, and inclusive for all residents of Lagos.”
Zamba explains that the integration of the ILERA EKO ICT platform with the LASSRA database introduces biometric identification for healthcare verification. According to her, the plug-and-play card readers require minimal setup and are supported by LASHMA’s technical team.
“This innovation strengthens the integrity of our health insurance system and ensures the right individuals receive care without delay,” she adds.
Piloting at leading hospitals
The State Government targets 100 provider network facilities in the first deployment phase, with St. Nicholas Hospital and General Hospital, Odan-Lagos among the pioneer facilities piloting the new technology.
Dr Ebun Bamgboye, Clinical Director at St. Nicholas Hospital, welcomes the initiative, noting that the hospital is committed to supporting efforts that improve healthcare delivery in the state.
“We’ve always felt a responsibility to support initiatives that improve healthcare outcomes. Despite being a private institution, this collaboration aligns with our corporate social responsibility and values,” he says.
Dr Bamgboye explains that impersonation has long plagued healthcare delivery in Lagos, and the biometric system ensures only legitimate enrollees access care, thereby enhancing the quality of service.
At General Hospital, Odan, Dr Ayodele Adeshina, Director of Clinical Services and Training, who represents the Medical Director, Dr Abiola Mafe, echoes similar sentiments, stating that the new system would streamline operations.
“Patients won’t need to carry multiple cards. With just the LASSRA ID, their data is accessible and payments can even be processed, making the entire process seamless,” Dr Adeshina says.
Data security measures in place
Addressing concerns over privacy, LASHMA confirms that designated Data Safety Officers have been assigned to safeguard enrollee data across all pilot sites.
“Patient records remain with the facility,” Zamba affirms. “What this technology does is confirm that the person seeking care is the rightful enrollee, thereby eliminating fraud.”
The biometric rollout marks a major step by Lagos in integrating digital identity infrastructure with healthcare systems to promote accountability and improve service delivery in Nigeria’s commercial capital, according to the state government.
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