The wife of Ebonyi state governor, Mrs Mary-Maudline Nwifuru has enrolled free no fewer than 10,000 pregnant women into the State Health Insurance Scheme.
Mrs. Nwifuru announced the initiative during the official flag-off ceremony held at the Women Development Centre, Abakaliki on Friday.
The event was organized by the Ebonyi State Health Insurance Agency (EBSHIA) in partnership with her pet project, Better Health for Rural Women, Children and Internally Displaced Persons (BERWO) Foundation.
Speaking at the event, the governor’s wife said the intervention was designed to strengthen healthcare access and social protection for women in the state.
According to her, “The enrollment ensures that every woman registered under this scheme receives antenatal care, delivery services, postnatal care, and emergency medical attention, all fully covered under the state health insurance plan.”
She added, “Today marks the flag-off ceremony of the enrollment of 10,000 pregnant women into the Ebonyi State Health Insurance Scheme (EBSHIS) by the BERWO Foundation.
“We are expanding the circle of care to reach all 171 wards of Ebonyi State as a clear demonstration of our unwavering commitment to ensuring that no mother dies while giving life and no child is denied a chance to live healthily because of poverty.”
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Mrs. Nwifuru encouraged the beneficiaries to take full advantage of the opportunity by registering promptly and attending regular antenatal appointments.
In his remarks, the Executive Secretary of the Ebonyi State Health Insurance Agency, Dr. Divine Igwe, commended the initiative, describing it as a step towards achieving Universal Health Coverage in line with Governor Francis Nwifuru’s Charter of Needs agenda.
Dr. Igwe revealed that over 4,098 persons, including women and the elderly, had earlier been enrolled in the state health insurance scheme.
He assured that all enrollees under the new phase would be closely monitored to ensure safe delivery and access to quality healthcare services.
Goodwill messages were delivered by various development partners, including Professor Odira Ekezie of the Field Intelligence Office, Mr. Toochukwu Ibe of B-Square Pharmaceuticals, and representatives of the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON), among others.
The event was attended by the State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Moses Ekuma; members of the State Traditional Rulers Council; Board Members of EBSHIA; and leaders of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), among other dignitaries.
