In a landmark move set to redefine healthcare access and accountability, the Lagos State Health Management Agency (LASHMA) has officially launched biometric card readers for the ILERA EKO Social Health Plan.
EpeInsights reports that this innovation, deployed in collaboration with the Lagos State Residents Registration Agency (LASSRA), aims to streamline patient verification and eliminate identity fraud across health facilities.
The pilot phase of the initiative was flagged off on Friday, May 30, 2025, at two leading hospitals: General Hospital, Odan-Lagos and the renowned private facility, St. Nicholas Hospital.
These centres now lead the charge as the first to integrate the cutting-edge card readers into their daily operations—paving the way for 100 healthcare facilities targeted in the first deployment wave.
At the heart of this rollout is a smart, plug-and-play biometric device linked to the LASSRA database. With a simple scan of the LASSRA ID card, patients’ identities are verified instantly, ensuring only legitimate enrollees access services.
This promises a significant reduction in impersonation, administrative delays, and service disruptions that have long plagued the health system.
Dr. Emmanuella Zamba, Permanent Secretary of LASHMA, described the launch as “a landmark moment” in Lagos State’s journey toward universal health coverage.
Represented by Mr. Tosin Awosika, LASHMA’s Coordinator of Regulation, Dr. Zamba emphasized the importance of cross-agency collaboration:
“This is a perfect example of what’s possible when agencies align their mandates for the public good.
At St. Nicholas Hospital, Clinical Director Dr. Ebun Bamgboye applauded the biometric initiative, noting its alignment with the hospital’s values of integrity and patient-centered care.
“This collaboration is more than symbolic—it’s strategic. It ensures that only those enrolled in the system receive services, preserving the quality and sustainability of healthcare delivery,” he stated.
Similarly, at General Hospital, Odan, the Director of Clinical Services and Training, Dr. Ayodele Adeshina, said the system was long overdue.
Representing the Medical Director Dr. Abiola Mafe, he highlighted how the new technology simplifies service delivery.
“With just the LASSRA ID, patients no longer need multiple cards. Their data is accessible, payments can be processed, and the entire experience is smoother.”
The head of ICT at LASHMA, Mr. Sefiu Oladejo, shared insights on the card’s additional capabilities, revealing that the chip-based LASSRA card will also function as an ATM and payment card, integrating healthcare, identity and financial services into one secure system.
“This system does not store medical records. It only verifies that the person seeking care is who they say they are. Patient confidentiality is fully maintained.”
With this initiative, Lagos State is not only modernizing its healthcare infrastructure but also building trust and accountability into the very fabric of public health access.
The biometric card reader project exemplifies a forward-thinking approach to governance, one that fuses technology, inclusivity, and citizen welfare.
As the first phase rolls out across 100 public and private hospitals, the State is signaling its readiness to become a national and regional model for digital healthcare integration.
“With every innovation we launch, we bring Lagos one step closer to becoming a model for universal health coverage in Nigeria and beyond” said Dr. Zamba.
