PharmAccess Foundation has handed over the first regulations portal for any State Social Health Insurance Agency (SSHIA) in Nigeria to the Lagos State Government, the non-government organisation (NGO) focusing on improving healthcare systems said.
The NGO officially handed over the portal to the Lagos State Health Management Agency (LASHMA) at a ceremony held at Alausa, Ikeja, that was attended by dignitaries including Dr. Ademola Serrano, the Innovation Manager at PharmAccess Foundation; Mr. Sefiu Oladejo, Head of ICT at LASHMA; Adeyinka Gbemilade, Public Affairs Officer at LASHMA; Mr. Ade Davies and Mrs. Moyosore Williams, Consultant and Communication Officer at PharmAccess, respectively. The development and design of the Regulations portal by PharmAccess began in 2020, according to the NGO.
Dr. Emmanuella Zamba, Permanent Secretary of LASHMA, commended the Foundation during the official handover event of the digital portal.
Zamba explained that following the development, the Portal was managed by PharmAccess to ensure its smooth operation. With the handover, LASHMA’s Regulations Department will now be able to effectively utilise the portal to align with the agency’s operations.
Ndili expressed the Foundation’s willingness to support the agency, particularly in the digital transformation of health insurance and laboratories, while emphasising that in this era of technological advancement, LASHMA should promptly inform the Foundation of any notable successes achieved through the portal.Ndili expressed the Foundation’s willingness to support the agency, particularly in the digital transformation of health insurance and laboratories, while emphasising that in this era of technological advancement, LASHMA should promptly inform the Foundation of any notable successes achieved through the portal.
According to Zamba, “after the development, the portal was domiciled with PharmAccess in order to monitor its operations and workability.” She added that with the handing over, LASHMA, through its Regulations Department, “would be able to successfully operate the portal to suit the operations of the agency”.
The timeliness of the handover, according to Zamba, coincided with stakeholder engagements on the implementation of the Executive Order signed by Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu and the documentation of the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA) Act.
She urged all donor partners in the State to support LASHMA in its efforts to realise UHC in Lagos State through collaboration and unity.
Mrs. Njide Ndili, the Country Director of PharmAccess Foundation, expressed that the NGO’s commitment to the project stems from its longstanding relationship with Lagos State and the belief in the state government’s ability to achieve Universal Health Coverage (UHC) expeditiously. The mandatory health insurance in Lagos State will greatly reduce out-of-pocket payments for medical bills, she added.
Ndili expressed the Foundation’s willingness to support the agency, particularly in the digital transformation of health insurance and laboratories, while emphasising that in this era of technological advancement, LASHMA should promptly inform the Foundation of any notable successes achieved through the portal.
Mr. Tosin Awosika, the Coordinator of Regulations, commended the Foundation for its support and acknowledged that while the portal design meets the agency’s current needs, continuous improvements will be made in light of the mandatory health insurance policy.
What is Lagos State Regulations portal project?
The Regulation Portal Project, which initiated on December 1, 2020, and successfully concluded on February 28, 2021, was executed by the PharmAccess Foundation. The project was commissioned to the Foundation with the objective of developing an innovative online Registration, Licensing, and Monitoring Portal for Health Insurance Agencies (HIAs) operating within Lagos State.
The primary aim of the portal was to streamline administrative processes and alleviate the data entry burden for the Lagos State Health Management Agency (LASHMA), thereby enhancing its regulatory capabilities. By integrating multiple features into a user-friendly interface, according to the government agency, the platform will provide personalised access to users, ensuring a seamless and efficient experience.
PharmAccess, an international NGO established in 2006, has been dedicated to improving healthcare supply and demand in sub-Saharan countries through fostering trust between patients and caregivers. With offices in several countries, including Nigeria, PharmAccess is collaborating with the World Bank/IFC Health in Africa initiative to launch mandatory health insurance programmes in Lagos, Kwara, and Adamawa states.
LASHMA, established under the Lagos Health Law No. 4 of 2015, is responsible for implementing the Lagos State Health Scheme (LSHS). The agency’s regulatory mandate includes registering and issuing Corporate Identification Numbers (CIN) to public and private employers, as well as overseeing organisations implementing health insurance in Lagos State.
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