THE Lagos State Health Management Agency (LASHMA) has warned residents in the State not to pay Ilera Eko Health Insurance premiums into any private bank account.
The Permanent Secretary of LASHMA, D. Emmanuella Zamba, stated this in Alausa, Ikeja, stressing that LASHMA operates a zero cash policy and, therefore, any attempt to demand payment into an agent's account except the Lagos State Health Fund (LASHEF), which is the only dedicated bank account for the pool of fund for health insurance in the State, is fraudulent and criminal.
Reacting to a message circulating via WhatsApp that the Agency is not activating enrollees and that a specific time could not be given for possible activation, the Permanent Secretary declared that this information was fake, false, and untrue, and did not emanate from the Agency.
Dr Zamba explained that LASHMA commences the activation of enrollees from the 26th of every month after the cut-off date of premium payment, which ends on the 25th of every month. She added that since the full take-off of the Agency in 2020, there has never been any time that LASHMA did not activate its enrollees monthly. The Permanent Secretary urged residents to disregard this information as it is an act to swindle them and divert residents' money to personal use.
Dr Zamba noted that the investigation conducted revealed that those who personally collected premiums from residents either delayed the payment or did not pay at all into the coffers of the State Government. She added that at the end of the month when payment is being collated, any payment not seen by LASHMA or traced to a policy number would not be activated until the Agency confirms such payment.
The Permanent Secretary said that enrollees on Ilera Eko can only pay for their health insurance premiums into the dedicated Government's account either through the POS in LASHMA Head office, Alausa, Ikeja or in the various LASHMA Divisional, Sub-Divisional or kiosks spread across the State.
She advised that they can also do a self-payment via the Bank by paying through the e-bills, or LASHMA Website: www.lashma.com, or through the USSD Code *6700*006# or any other payment channels such as Quickteller.
Dr Zamba advised that while making the payment, residents should write their policy number and names to enable the Agency to confirm the payment and match it with their names.
The Permanent Secretary urged residents not to hesitate to report anyone who demands that Ilera Eko premium should be paid to his or her account to the Agency, or anyone who sends them any frivolous message.
Dr Zamba reminded Enrollees to call any of the 24/7 Customer Service Lines - 0800-ILERAEKO (0800-45372356) or 0800-ASKLASHMA (0800-275527462) to report, complain or commend the Agency. She added that residents can also send WhatsApp messages to 07045358275 or 07046160051 to have access to the Agency. The Permanent Secretary appealed to residents not to allow themselves to be swindled.
Dr Zamba disclosed that all the culprits who had earlier been dismissed have been apprehended and handed over to the Law Enforcement Agents. She assured residents that if there is still any other perpetrator behind these frivolous WhatsApp messages, such persons would also be apprehended by the Agency and brought to book.
She promised that LASHMA would continue to do its best to ensure that every resident, irrespective of their socio-economic status, has access to affordable, equitable, reliable, and quality healthcare services in the state.
