The wife of the Ebonyi State governor, Mrs. Uzoamaka Nwifuru, has flagged-off the enrollment of 10,000 pregnant women into the Ebonyi State Health Insurance Scheme (EBSHIA) to end maternal mortality and morbidity in the state.
Mrs. Nwifuru said that the enrollment is in partnership with the Ebonyi State Health Insurance Agency (EBSHIA) and the Better Health for Rural Women, Children and Internally Displaced Persons, BERWO Foundation.
The flag-off was held at the Women Development Centre Abakaliki, the Ebonyi State capital.
Mrs. Nwifuru maintained that the flag-off is also meant to reaffirm the collective commitment to the health, safety, and dignity of every woman and child in Ebonyi State.
“When I stood before you early last year to launch the enrollment of 4,078 pregnant women into the same Ebonyi State Health Insurance Scheme, it was the beginning of a promise, a promise to take healthcare to every home, every ward, and every woman who needs it most.
“That first phase was a success. It gave thousands of women across our 13 local government areas the opportunity to access quality antenatal care, safe delivery, and postnatal services, all without the burden of cost.
“It saved lives, restored hope, and gave confidence to families who once saw healthcare as a privilege beyond their reach. Today, we build on that success. We are not slowing down; we are expanding the circle of care, which enrolls 10,000 pregnant women across the 171 wards of Ebonyi State.
“We decided to embark on the project to demonstrate 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.
“This intervention, spearheaded through a strong collaboration between BERWO Foundation and EBSHIA, is a health and social protection effort. It 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.
“This is not just an act of governance; it is an act of love, empathy, and faith in the strength of our women. Because when a woman is healthy, her family thrives. And when families thrive, our communities prosper.”
She urged the pregnant women to make full use of the opportunity.
