The Lagos State Health Management Agency (LASHMA) in its commitment to ensuring that the elderly have access to effective, quality and affordable healthcare has partnered with 60PLUS Advocacy Initiative - a Non-Governmental Organisation - to sensitise and enrol elderly citizens on the ILERA EKO Health Plan.
Speaking at a sensitisation event organised to educate the elderly on ‘ILERA EKO’ at Isolo General Hospital, Isolo, the General Manager of the Agency, Dr. Emmanuella Zamba, said that the partnership became necessary to ensure that senior citizens, who have contributed physically, economically and socially to the development of the State, live a healthy life at their old age and have access to care whenever they are sick.
While commending 60PLUS Advocacy Initiative for the laudable gesture, she said that the partnership would further ensure that the elderly are financially protected whenever they are not feeling well and would save their expenditure on medical treatment and purchase of drugs.
Dr. Zamba, represented at the event by the Sales Manager of LASHMA, Uchechukwu Igweonyia, disclosed that the Sanwo-Olu-led administration is passionate about the healthcare of the aged, as such it is committed to ensuring that they live a comfortable life devoid of sickness, fear of payment of huge medical bills and stress.
Applauding individuals, NGOs, Groups and philanthropists who have been supporting the Agency in the realisation of its mandate, the General Manager called on other NGOs and humanitarians in the State to emulate 60PLUS Advocacy Initiative and support the government in its efforts to alleviate the plight of senior citizens and the vulnerable in Lagos.
She promised that the Agency would do its best to ensure that all residents, irrespective of their cultural, social and religious backgrounds have access to affordable healthcare services.
A member of the Governing Council, 60PLUS Advocacy Initiative and retired Permanent Secretary in Lagos State, Mrs. Iyabode Obasa, said that the Non-Governmental Organisation partnered with the Lagos State Health Management Agency (LASHMA) to put smiles on the faces of the elderly and ensure that they are healthy even at their old age.
She said that the partnership will enable the elderly, who have ailments like diabetes, hypertension and asthma, to access care and those with surgical treatment covered under the health plan to undergo treatment without paying any additional money.
The Governing Council Member advised the elderly to eat good food and fruits as well as drink a lot of water daily, especially warm water early in the morning and at night in order to free their systems and live healthy.
The retired Permanent Secretary said that the NGO which had sensitised the elderly at Epe, Surulere and Isolo, would also go to all other Local Government Areas to inform, educate and enlighten more citizens on ‘ILERA EKO’ Health Plan.
Commending some of the invited guests at the event for sponsoring some elderly for ILERA EKO Health insurance plan, Obasa called on other influential residents and philanthropists in the State to support the Non-Governmental Organisation in providing more care for the elderly.
Dignitaries at the event include a former Federal House of Representatives member, Hon. Gbolahan Ogunneye; first Executive Chairman, Oshodi/Isolo Local Government, Chief Ayo Adegboyega; representative of Isolo Constituency II at the National Assembly, Alhaji Ganiyu Johnson; Aro of Owu Kingdom, Chief Ogunbowale; former Councillor, Oshodi/Isolo LGA, Hon. Leo Chima and the representative of the Head, Administration and Human Resources, Isolo General Hospital, Mrs. Elizabeth Osibodu among others.
The highlight of the event was the enrolment of 108 elderly citizens on the scheme.
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