The Lagos State Health Management Agency (LASHMA) has sealed a partnership deal with Nigeria’s premier financial institution, Firstbank to leverage its Firstmonie platform to promote and provide affordable healthcare services to its citizens.
The partnership, which will give the state government access over 13, 000 Firstmonie Agents is part of the state government’s commitment to ensure that residents at the grassroots have access to affordable, effective and quality healthcare.
The Firstmonie Agents will serve as payment channels for the Lagos State Health Scheme (LSHS).
The General Manager, Lagos State Health Management Agency (LASHMA), Dr. Emmanuella Zamba, who made the disclosure during the flag off of the partnership in Alausa, noted that the partnership became necessary to facilitate ease of health insurance premium transactions for residents, especially at the grassroots.
According to her, FirstBank was selected for the partnership in recognition of its effectiveness, efficiency and large clientele base.
“The Agency realised that not all residents can go to the Bank or use online platforms for the payment of their health insurance premiums, hence the Agency identified the need for other payment platforms such as the Firstmonie Agents,” Dr. Zamba explained.
She also asserted that the partnership would avail residents the opportunity to pay either N40,000 annually for family plan or N8,500 annually for individual plan through any of the Firstmonie Agents, adding that once the insurance premium is paid before 25th of every month, such enrollee can receive care from the first day of the following month at any public or private hospital of their choice within the scheme’s network of providers.
Meanwhile, the Deputy Managing Director, First Bank of Nigeria Limited, Mr. Gbenga Shobo, has commended the Lagos State Government for its determination in ensuring the good health and wellbeing of all residents.
He said the initiative will have a crucial role at improving the life expectancy of Lagos residents, whilst promoting their increased contribution to the growth and development of the State.
While imploring residents not to hesitate to pay their health insurance premiums at any of the Firstmonie Agents located in all the local governments and local council development areas in the State in order to have their health secured, Shobo advised residents in the State to register and enrol in the Scheme in order to enjoy the good gesture of the present administration led by Mr. Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu.
