The candidate of the Labour Party in the 2023 Governorship election in Lagos state, Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour has berated the state Governor, Babajide Sanwo Olu over his executive order which mandates monthly contribution from all residents for social health insurance scheme.
He made this known on Wednesday through his X handle (formerly twitter) where he highlighted the demerits of the executive order and steps that should be taken to improve the health sector in Lagos state.
He wrote “I wish to address Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s Executive Order on the Social Health Insurance Scheme that mandates a ₦15,000 monthly contribution from every Lagos resident.
“While I acknowledge the good intentions behind universal health coverage, this flat-rate approach reveals a fundamental disconnect from the economic realities facing most Lagosians.
“For minimum wage earners, this ₦15,000 monthly contribution represents nearly 20% of their income—an unsustainable burden that will push many further into economic hardship. Simultaneously, this same flat rate is insignificant for middle and upper-income earners, creating an inherently regressive system.
“I propose instead a proportional 5% contribution of monthly income, which would distribute the financial responsibility more equitably across income levels while ensuring sustainable funding for the scheme.”
Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour also urged the Lagos state government to address the deficit in the number of medical personnel in the state before forcing residents to pay for the health insurance scheme.
“However, we must address the elephant in the room and resist the urge to place the cart before the horse. According to a recent statement by the Lagos State Commissioner of Health, Lagos suffers from a deficit of 30,000 doctors. Therefore, before mandating and enforcing such an Executive Order, substantial investment in healthcare infrastructure and personnel is imperative.
“The alarming statistics speak for themselves—according to a 2016 report (with conditions likely worse today), Lagos has: 5,014 persons to 1 general medical doctor, 2,942 persons to 1 specialist, 2,165 persons to 1 nurse, 5,117 persons to 1 midwife.
“These ratios are dramatically higher than the recommended doctor-to-population ratio of 1:600, clearly demonstrating the lack of priority given to public health in our state.
“Consequently, the Sanwo-Olu administration must adopt the 2014 Abuja Declaration, which recommends allocating 15% of the state budget to healthcare.
“In 2024, the Lagos State government fell short of this laudable vision by allocation 6.75% of its budget to healthcare. Without significant investment in healthcare professionals through better compensation and career development, alongside substantial upgrades to medical facilities and equipment, this insurance scheme risks becoming merely another financial burden on Lagosians without delivering the promised healthcare improvements.
“True healthcare reform requires both sustainable funding mechanisms and robust healthcare delivery systems. I call on the Governor to reconsider this Executive Order and engage in meaningful dialogue with healthcare professionals, economic experts, and community representatives to develop a more equitable and effective approach to universal health coverage in Lagos State.”
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