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By Doris Obinna
The Lagos State Health Management Agency (LASHMA) has been named the winner of the 2026 Nigerian Healthcare Excellence Award (NHEA) for State Government Health Insurance of the Year, earning the prestigious recognition for the third time in acknowledgement of its outstanding health insurance service delivery in Nigeria.
The award was presented at the 12th edition of the Nigerian Healthcare Excellence Awards held at EKO Hotel and Suites, Victoria Island, Lagos, with the theme, “Innovation, Local Manufacturing and Digital Transformation in Healthcare.” The annual awards celebrate excellence, leadership and exceptional performance in Nigeria’s healthcare sector.
Speaking, Chairman, NHEA Advisory Board, Dr. Anthony Omolola, said the awards, established in 2014, were created to recognise individuals and organisations making remarkable contributions to the country’s healthcare system. He noted that this year’s edition honoured resilient professionals and institutions that have continued to strengthen healthcare delivery despite prevailing challenges.
According to him, nominees emerged through a transparent selection process involving research, public voting and rigorous evaluation conducted by an independent advisory board. He described nomination for the awards as evidence of outstanding performance and national recognition, stressing that “every nomination is based on credibility.”
Omolola said healthcare delivery has undergone significant transformation in recent years, with innovation, strategic partnerships, artificial intelligence, local manufacturing of medical devices and sustainable financing becoming major drivers of improved healthcare services. He urged stakeholders to continue embracing these innovations to strengthen the nation’s health system.
He also encouraged nominees who did not emerge winners to remain committed to excellence, expressing confidence that greater dedication and improved performance could earn them recognition at the 13th edition of the awards next year.
Presenting the State Government Health Insurance of the Year Award to the Permanent Secretary of LASHMA, Dr. Emmanuella Zamba, former Permanent Secretary, Lagos State Ministry of Health, Dr. Femi Olugbile, congratulated the agency for emerging victorious among five nominees. He urged LASHMA to sustain its momentum by developing more innovative initiatives capable of accelerating the attainment of Universal Health Coverage (UHC) in Lagos State.
Olugbile also reminded the agency that the award comes with greater responsibility to ensure that more Lagos residents enjoy unhindered access to affordable, quality and equitable healthcare services across the state.
Responding on behalf of the agency, Zamba expressed appreciation to the organisers for recognising LASHMA’s contributions to the health insurance sector. She also thanked Gov. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, Deputy Gov. Dr. Kadri Hamzat, members of the Lagos State House of Assembly, local government chairmen, development partners, philanthropists and other stakeholders for their unwavering support towards the agency’s achievements.
She further expressed gratitude to Lagos residents and everyone who voted for the agency, assuring them that LASHMA would continue to strengthen access to affordable, quality and equitable healthcare services for all residents, regardless of their socio-economic status. LASHMA previously won the NHEA State Government Health Insurance of the Year Award in 2023, shared the honour with Katsina State in 2025, and has now reclaimed the title in 2026, further reinforcing its leadership in public health insurance administration in Nigeria.
