Rhodes-Vivour, Sanwo-Olu clash over Lagos Health Insurance Scheme

The 2023 governorship candidate of Labour Party, LP, in Lagos State, Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour, has clashed with the Lagos State government over the Social Health Insurance Scheme recently introduced in the state.

Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu recently signed an Executive Order establishing a mandatory Social Health Insurance Scheme for all residents of Lagos State, regardless of income level. According to the governor, the scheme will provide universal health coverage to Lagosians, ensuring access to quality healthcare services.

However, this move has sparked concerns among many Lagosians, who argue that the flat rate is unsustainable for low-income earners and would further exacerbate economic hardship. Others have also questioned the timing and prioritisation of the scheme, given the state's existing healthcare infrastructure challenges.

It is against this backdrop that Rhodes-Vivour has spoken out against the scheme, proposing alternative solutions and calling for a more equitable and effective approach to universal health coverage in Lagos.

Reacting via his X handle, the LP candidate argued that the N15,000 annual contribution would exacerbate economic hardship for minimum wage earners, who would spend nearly 20 per cent of their income on the payment.

He proposed a proportional 5% contribution of monthly income instead, ensuring a fairer distribution of financial responsibility across income levels.

“This flat-rate approach reveals a fundamental disconnect from the economic realities facing most Lagosians. For minimum wage earners, this N15,000 contribution represents nearly 20% of their income—an unsustainable burden that will push many further into economic hardship,” Rhodes-Vivour said.

He also emphasised the need for substantial investment in healthcare infrastructure and personnel, citing a deficit of 30,000 doctors in Lagos State. “Before mandating and enforcing such an Executive Order, substantial investment in healthcare infrastructure and personnel is imperative. We must address the elephant in the room and resist the urge to place the cart before the horse,” Rhodes-Vivour stressed.

According to him, the Sanwo-Olu administration must adopt the 2014 Abuja Declaration, which recommends allocating 15 per cent of the state budget to healthcare. “In 2024, the Lagos State government fell short of this laudable vision by allocating only 6.75% of its budget to healthcare,” he noted.

In response, Gboyega Akosile, Special Adviser on Media and Publicity to Governor Sanwo-Olu, clarified that the N15,000 contribution is an annual premium, not a monthly payment.

“The social health insurance plan of Lagos State has an ANNUAL premium of N15,000 only per individual and NOT MONTHLY as stated by you,” Akosile said.

He explained that the scheme is mandatory for all Nigerians under the NHIA Act of 2022 and highlighted the state's efforts to make healthcare more accessible.

According to him, the government has allocated an equity fund to cover vulnerable residents and has invested in healthcare infrastructure, including the construction of Mother and Child Care hospitals.

He also mentioned the establishment of a dedicated Lagos State University of Medicine and Health Sciences to address the shortage of healthcare professionals, while emphasising that the scheme will “cover a wide scope of services, both primary and secondary, tailored to serve the health needs and address the disease burden of the state.”