In a significant stride towards transforming healthcare access in Lagos State, the Lagos State Health Management Agency (LASHMA), in collaboration with the Lagos State Residents Registration Agency (LASSRA), on Friday, May 30, 2025, launched and deployed biometric card readers for the ILERA EKO Social Health Plan. The unveiling took place at the General Hospital, Odan Lagos, and the renowned private facility, St. Nicholas Hospital, symbolizing the inclusiveness of the ILERA EKO provider network.

The biometric card readers are integrated with the LASSRA database and designed to authenticate enrollees using their LASSRA ID, thereby enhancing enrollee verification, eliminating impersonation, and streamlining access to health services. The move, according to LASHMA, marks the beginning of a pilot phase across 100 healthcare facilities in the state.

The Permanent Secretary of LASHMA, Dr. Emmanuella Zamba, while speaking at the launch, described the initiative as a landmark moment in the State’s pursuit of universal health coverage. “This launch is not just about deploying devices,” she said, “It is about deepening our commitment to building a health system that is accessible, accountable, and inclusive for all residents of Lagos.”

Zamba who was represented by LASHMA’s Coordinator of Regulation, Mr. Tosin Awosika, commended LASSRA for its strategic partnership, which she described as “a perfect example of what is possible when agencies align their mandates for the public good.” She noted that the integration of the ILERA EKO ICT platform with the LASSRA database has ushered in a new era of biometric identification for healthcare access in Lagos.

Highlighting the operational simplicity of the new system, she explained that 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 added.

Reiterating the long-term vision of the agency, Dr. Zamba stated, “With every innovation we launch, we bring Lagos one step closer to becoming a model for universal health coverage in Nigeria and beyond.”

At the private facility launch site, the Clinical Director of St. Nicholas Hospital, Dr. Ebun Bamgboye praised the initiative and affirmed the hospital’s unwavering support for the program. “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 said.

Dr. Bamgboye acknowledged the recurring issue of impersonation in healthcare and expressed optimism that the biometric card reader would significantly reduce such occurrences. “This system ensures only legitimate enrollees access care, which will ultimately enhance the quality of service delivery,” he affirmed.

He emphasized that St. Nicholas Hospital would fully support the biometric initiative, describing it as a step in the right direction for achieving universal health coverage. “Lagos State has always been at the forefront of healthcare innovation. We are proud to be part of this transformation,” he noted.

Also addressing stakeholders at public facility launch site, Dr. Ayodele Adeshina, Director of Clinical Services and Training at General Hospital, Odan, who represented the Medical Director, Dr. Abiola Mafe, thanked LASHMA for choosing the facility to launch the new card reader. “It is a privilege, and we are committed to supporting every innovative step aimed at improving patient access and experience,” he said.

Dr. Adeshina described the new system as timely, noting that it would drastically reduce administrative bottlenecks and allow patients to access care efficiently. “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,” he stated.

He also stressed the hospital’s readiness to maintain data security, pointing out that designated Data Safety Officers were already in place to safeguard enrollees’ information. “This is not just an improvement for GH Lagos or LASHMA, but for the healthcare ecosystem of Nigeria as a whole,” he concluded.

On the technical aspects of the initiative, Head of ICT at LASHMA, Mr. Sefiu Oladejo, explained that the project was borne out of the need to resolve enrollee identification challenges in health facilities. “We observed cases of impersonation due to lack of valid ID cards. This integration with LASSRA provides a reliable way to verify patients using their photograph and unique ID,” he said.

Mr. Oladejo noted that the LASSRA card would serve multiple functions including ATM capabilities and payment processing. “It’s a multifunctional chip-based card that enables access to healthcare, payments, and identity verification—all in one.”

He further clarified that the biometric verification system does not compromise patient confidentiality. “Patient records remain with the facility. What this technology does is confirm that the person seeking care is the rightful enrollee, thereby eliminating fraud,” he emphasized.

The ILERA EKO biometric card reader initiative is a forward-thinking step in public-private collaboration and a testament to Lagos State’s innovation in leveraging digital solutions to enhance healthcare equity. With the successful launch, the State has taken a firm step toward ensuring every resident enjoys dignified, timely, and traceable access to healthcare services.

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