In a bid to strengthen emergency healthcare and protect vulnerable residents, Lagos State has introduced LASHMA-AID, a pioneering programme that guarantees stabilisation for all patients in need.
Unveiled on Tuesday in Lagos as part of the Ilera Eko Emergency Services, LASHMA-AID aims to make emergency care more timely, organised, and humane, ultimately saving more lives. The programme covers up to 48 hours of in-facility treatment to stabilise active enrollees and vulnerable residents.
“This initiative is not just about ambulances or approvals; it is about saving critical minutes and preserving lives.
“In moments of crisis, our enrollees and vulnerable residents should not be left unattended due to financial barriers, confusion, panic or fear, whether at home, in the office, or at the scene of an emergency. Our swift response can protect lives, after all, a stitch in time saves nine”, said the agency chairman.
LASHMA-AID brings hospitals, ambulance providers, regulators, and internal emergency teams into a single, coordinated system for pre-hospital care, inter-facility transfers, and early stabilisation.
“While LASHMA will coordinate, the success of LASHMA-AID depends on daily decisions made by doctors, nurses, paramedics, call handlers, claims officers and administrators. We ask all partners to see themselves as co-owners of this system”, he added, emphasising professionalism, integrity, and shared responsibility.
The agency will monitor usage patterns, review feedback from facilities and enrollees, and adjust processes to continuously improve service delivery. Sections 6 and 7 of the Executive Order mandating social health insurance for all residents, signed by Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, were instrumental in enabling the programme.
Healthcare providers are assured that costs incurred during life-threatening emergencies are covered, reducing needless loss of lives. Emergency responses had previously been fragmented, with patients often unable to immediately afford treatment and providers facing uncertainty about reimbursement.
According to the health adviser, “Every second counts in an emergency, and access without fear of catastrophic bills can mean the difference between life and loss.
“Through LASHMA-AID, we are protecting lives, strengthening our healthcare system, and building a Lagos where emergency care is timely, health is secure, and every resident has a fair chance to survive and thrive”, she added.
She highlighted the Governor’s commitment to universal health coverage, noting that the equity fund was increased from $1 billion to $3 billion annually to ensure vulnerable residents are protected.
Facilities and ambulance operators have been urged to capture and report emergency data accurately, which is critical for the sustainability of the social health insurance scheme.
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