Executive secretary of Ebonyi State Health Insurance Agency (EBSHIA), Dr Divine Igwe, has said the enrolment of about 300 Sickle Cell patients in the organisation by the governor’s wife, Mrs Mary-Maudline Nwifuru, has reduced the mortality rate among affected persons in the state.
Igwe said through the initiative, the carriers now access free medical care at different hospitals in the state, stressing that the state government remains committed to healthcare delivery.
The executive secretary stated this at a press conference to mark the 2nd anniversary of the agency held at the Women Development Centre, Abakaliki.
He maintained that the event was aimed at highlighting some of the achievements of the agency and also giving stakeholders and health professionals the opportunity to assess the strides recorded under the administration of Governor Francis Nwifuru in the last two years.
Igwe said because of the constant health challenges faced by carriers of sickle cell anaemia, it was a big burden for indigent people to effectively manage the situation and save them from untimely death.
He reaffirmed the state government’s commitment to achieving Universal Health Coverage (UHC) through strategic healthcare reforms and mass enrollment into the state’s insurance scheme.
The EBSHIA boss commended the governor and his wife for their dedication to improving the health sector and reducing high medical expenses faced by Ebonyi residents in accessing healthcare services, noting that the state’s consistent investment in healthcare has ensured residents’ access to quality and affordable medical services.
He disclosed that a total of 137,133 individuals had been enrolled in the state health insurance scheme in the last two years.
“These enrollees cut across various vulnerable groups such as children, pregnant women, the elderly, people with disabilities, the indigents, and the civil servants. An additional 86,175 individuals are currently undergoing enrollment, including 29,000 HIV and tuberculosis patients captured through a global funding partnership,” he added.
Dr. Igwe further revealed that the range of medical services enjoyed by enrollees under the scheme includes antenatal care, normal and caesarean deliveries, appendectomies, fibroid and eye surgeries, treatment for peptic ulcers and diabetes mellitus, management of severe acute malnutrition, hypertension screening, immunisation and many other services.
He assured that the agency would continue to strengthen its interventions and ensure that no resident is left behind in accessing life-saving health services and called on well-to-do individuals to empower their loved ones and the less privileged with good health by enrolling them into the health insurance scheme.
The executive secretary of the Ebonyi State Primary Healthcare Development Agency, Dr Philips Ovuoba also highlighted the governor’s efforts in revitalising the health sector and underscored the collaborative spirit that has driven reforms within the last two years.
Chairman of the Nigeria Labour Congress in Ebonyi State, Prof Ogugua Egwu, appreciated the governor for focusing on inclusive health coverage and called for continued support and sustainability of the scheme to ensure long-term benefits for the people.
Some beneficiaries of scheme who shared their experiences, expressed their gratitude to Governor Nwifuru and the first lady for prioritising healthcare as a central component of the administration’s “People’s Charter of Needs” mantra.
