By Brenda Chidinma Imo-Eze
The Ebonyi State Health Insurance Agency (EBSHIA) has officially flagged off a program to enroll 29,000 persons living with HIV (PLHIV) into the state’s health insurance scheme at no cost.
The event, held on Monday during the Network of People Living with HIV/AIDS in Nigeria (NEPWAN) Conference, assures beneficiaries of free, comprehensive medical care without any co-payment at the point of service.
The Executive Secretary of EBSHIA, Dr. Divine Okemefuna Igwe, described the intervention as a “bold statement of compassion and inclusion” and a reflection of the state’s resolve that “no Ebonyian should be denied healthcare because of financial barriers.”
Dr. Igwe sincerely appreciated the Governor of Ebonyi State, Rt. Hon. Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru, for his “magnanimity and visionary leadership” in approving free access to healthcare for this critical population.
The EBSHIA boss disclosed that the enrolment, facilitated by a Global Fund project attracted through the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA) and the National Tuberculosis, Leprosy and Buruli Ulcer Control Programme (NTBLCP), is designed to be seamless.
He added, “To make this process seamless, the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) is here with us.
“We sincerely appreciate NIMC for accepting to collaborate with EBSHIA to make this exercise easier. Anyone without a National Identification Number (NIN) can obtain it right here during registration. Once you complete your enrolment, EBSHIA will issue you a health insurance ID card, which grants you access to healthcare services across accredited facilities.
“To avoid stigmatization, our ID cards are designed to be identical to the general health insurance ID cards.
“There is no distinction, no differential recognition, and no special marking. Everyone is treated with equal dignity and confidentiality.
“Furthermore, I want to assure all beneficiaries that your data is highly protected and encrypted.
“Nobody will have unauthorized access to your personal or health information. So, there is absolutely no reason to fear or hesitate — your privacy is guaranteed.
“As Executive Secretary of EBSHIA, I am personally committed to ensuring that no Ebonyian will die because of lack of money to go to the hospital when sick. That is my pledge to you, and that is the heart of our mission.
“To all stakeholders, partners, and beneficiaries present here today, let us work together to make sure every person living with HIV in Ebonyi State is enrolled, empowered, and assured of quality healthcare.”
Sharing early success stories, data from the Global Fund Project revealed that while the target remains at 29,000, 2,162 persons have been enrolled so far. Despite the initial challenge of beneficiaries lacking NINs, the program is already delivering impact. Key testimonies include 10 successful deliveries (one by C-section and nine normal births), four hernia operations, one fibroid operation, and three eye surgeries, with three pairs of eyeglasses issued. The project leadership urged beneficiaries to “Go and tell others that this Global Fund project is highly beneficial through the help of EBSHIA.”
In his remarks, the Coordinator of NEPWAN, Comr. Chukwuma Nwafor, lauded the development as “extraordinary.”
He stressed that it was happening during Governor Nwifuru’s administration, where medical services are accessed free of charge without collecting any percentage, adding, “It is now left for us to access these services.”
The event also featured goodwill messages from several dignitaries, including HRH Ezeogo Peter U. Oroke (Ezeohanyere III of Amawula community Ezza North LGA), Dr. Frank Bokime (Senior Technical Officer and PCT Lead, ECEWS), Dr. Okeke Chinelo Vivian (Consultant Pediatrician and MCDAN Chairman), and board member, Ebonyi state insurance agency, Rev. Father James Ofoke.