Ebonyi health insurance agency enrols 137,133 in 2 years
By Amarachi Ehia, Abakaliki
Ebonyi Health Insurance Agency (EBSHIA), Thursday disclosed its achievement within the two years of governor Francis Nwifuru’s administration.
The State Executive Secretary of the agency Dr. Divine Igwenagu emphasize that the agency enrolled a total of 137, 133 persons into health insurance scheme within the years in view.
Dr. Igwe disclosed this at a press conference in Abakaliki, the state capital.
He said, “from 2023 till date, EBSHIA has enrolled a total of 137, 133 persons into health insurance scheme.
“Number of children under 5 years registered are 42,088, pregnant women 20, 785 and 15,644 elders have been enrolled. Indigents 41,783, formal sector (Onwa healthcare) 2,214, Tiship -5,347, active enrollment in 2024 is 8061.
Igwe further disclosed that and 2,214 formal sectors.
He however noted that of the people that enrolled in the insurance scheme that many persons have been able to severally access free medical care.
He opined that the agency was making tremendous progress in health.
According to him, through the health insurance agency, the state Governor has been able to cut down catastrophic medical expenditure that is emanating from the illnesses in all the 13 local government areas of the state.
He called on political office holders in the state to come together and adopt at least 1,000 lives per ward in the state to be included in the state health insurance agency to cut down maternal mortality, infant deaths and stop ravaging Blood Pressure (BP) increasing on daily basis.
Represented by the state commissioner for health, Dr. Moses Ekuma, Governor Nwifuru said that through EBSHIA, his administration has achieved a lot in the health sector.
“EBSHIA has scored pass mark within 2 years in office hoping that by the time it’s gets to four years it would cover the grounds.
He said, “actually in health sector when we assumed office many things were lacking because we cannot be talking about functional health system without manpower, medical equipments, drugs, health insurance coverage and without emergency services those things are the key issues in health but within 2 years our government alot achieved this through Ebonyi state health insurance agency”.
One of the beneficiaries of EBSHIA, Blessing from Ohaukwu said, “this is my 6th child, in October 2024, the doctors said I was going to deliver my baby through operation and there was no money for that, but through this insurance agency I was operated on and my baby came out healthy”.
