2yrs in office: Gov. Nwifuru enrolls over 137,000 citizens into health insurance scheme

By Uchenna Okeh, Abakaliki

The governor of Ebonyi State Francis Nwifuru has enrolled over 137,000 residents into the State Health Insurance Scheme between 2023 and 2024. 

The Executive Secretary of the State Health Insurance Agency, Divine Igwe, made this known during a press conference held at the women’s development Abakaliki.

The Nations News Nigeria reports that the agency’s achievements within the past two years of administration of governor Francis Nwifuru were enormous. 

Igwe stated that in November 2023, the state government approved free health insurance coverage for all civil servants without requiring any financial contribution from them.

A breakdown of the beneficiaries includes children under five, pregnant women, the elderly, persons with disabilities, the indigent, and individuals in both the formal and informal sectors.

He explained that the media engagement was aimed at showcasing the strides made by Governor Francis Nwifuru’s administration through the health insurance agency.

Igwe called on philanthropists and stakeholders across the state to mobilize support and register at least 1,000 people per ward into the scheme.

“This will go a long way in reducing mortality rates and addressing the growing threat of high blood pressure, which is claiming lives in our communities,” he said.

According to him, the health insurance scheme has helped reduce out-of-pocket expenses for medical care across all 13 Local Government Areas and the 171 electoral wards of the state.

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He stressed the health insurance scheme has helped reduce out-of-pocket expenses for medical care across all 13 Local Government Areas and the 171 electoral wards of the state.

The executive added that the agency, which was established by law in 2018, is designed to ensure equitable access to healthcare services for all residents without causing financial hardship.

Igwe also revealed that the state is partnering with the Global Fund to provide free healthcare access for people living with HIV/AIDS.

“Currently, 14,000 identified HIV patients are being enrolled into the state health insurance scheme,” he announced.

“Before this administration took office in 2023, only 34,000 people were enrolled in the health insurance scheme. Now, over 137,000 have been enrolled in just two years.” He stressed.

Those in attendance at the annual press briefing of the Ebonyi state health insurance agency, EBSHIA, includes; the commissioner of Health Mr Ekuma Mosese who represented the governor, the board chairperson, Mrs Elizabeth Ogbaga, the state chairmen of NLC, TUC and NUJ amongst others were in attendance.