By Brenda Chidinma Imo-Eze
The Ebonyi State Health Insurance Scheme has free-enrolled no fewer than 10,000 pregnant women, the wife of the Governor, Mrs. Maudline Nwifuru, announced on Wednesday in Abakaliki.
Mrs. Nwifuru made the declaration during the flag-off ceremony held at the Women Development Centre. The event was a collaboration between the State Health Insurance Agency (EBSHIA) and the First Lady’s pet project, the Better Health for Rural Women, Children and Internally Displaced Persons (BERWO) Foundation.
The Governor’s wife described the intervention as a crucial health and social protection effort.
“The enrollment ensures that every enrolled woman receives antenatal care, delivery services, postnatal care, and emergency medical attention, all fully covered under the state health insurance plan,” Mrs. Nwifuru stated.
She further emphasized the administration’s commitment: “We are expanding the circle of care, which enrols 10,000 pregnant women across the 171 wards of Ebonyi State, demonstrating our unwavering commitment to ensuring that no mother dies while giving life and no child is denied a chance to live healthy because of poverty.”
Mrs. Nwifuru encouraged the beneficiaries to take full advantage of the opportunity by registering and diligently attending their antenatal appointments.
Earlier, the Executive Secretary of the State Health Insurance Agency, Dr. Divine Igwe, noted that the initiative aligns perfectly with the goal of Universal Health Coverage and the Charter of Needs mantra of Governor Francis Nwifuru’s administration.
Dr. Igwe also mentioned that over 4,098 other persons, including women and the elderly, had previously been enrolled in the scheme. He assured the public that the agency would actively track the new enrollees to ensure they all obtain safe delivery.
The event featured goodwill messages from Development Partners and was attended by key state officials, including the Commissioner for Health, Dr. Moses Ekuma, members of the State Traditional Rulers Council, and leadership of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), among others.