Chijioke Ufoh, Abakaliki
The Executive Secretary of the Ebonyi State Health Insurance Scheme (EBSHIA) Dr Divine Igwe, has disclosed that 137,133 persons have been successfully enrolled in the state health programme.
Igwe, who made the disclosure during a solidarity rally in Abakaliki, also said that over 29,000 pregnant women have accessed free healthcare services through the scheme since the inception of the programme.
The Executive Secretary cited Governor Francis Nwifuru’s administration’s commitment to improving healthcare delivery across the state, saying that the enrolment of the health programme moved from 32,149 in 2022 to 137,133 beneficiaries in 2026, making the overall growth of 429 per cent in four years.
According to him, beneficiaries include patients treated for cataracts, glaucoma, and other medical conditions, while over 29,000 pregnant women have also accessed healthcare services through the scheme.
Reaffirming the agency’s commitment to achieving its Vision 2030 targets, Igwe commended the governor’s leadership and healthcare reforms, expressing confidence that history would remember him for his contributions to saving lives and transforming healthcare delivery in Ebonyi State.
On their part, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Health, Dr Lawrence Ezeogo, and Chairman of the EBSHIA Board, Barr Ogechi Ogbaga, lauded Nwifuru for prioritising healthcare development, and expanding access to quality medical services for residents.
They noted that through the interventions of EBSHIA, thousands of lives have been saved as vulnerable citizens now enjoy affordable and accessible healthcare services across the state.
Also speaking, the representative of the Officers-in-Charge (OICs), Mrs Elizabeth Odoh, described EBSHIA as a game-changer in Ebonyi’s health sector, stressing that health facilities across the state have witnessed significant improvements under the scheme.
Several beneficiaries, including Mrs Victoria Okafor from Ezza South, Mrs Chinyere Agwu from Edda, Ketrin Ugochi from Afikpo, Nkwuda Joy from Izzi, Elom Chigozie, and Agness Nwanmini, expressed gratitude to the state government for the programme, which they said enabled them to access free medical treatments, surgeries, maternal healthcare services and other critical interventions without financial burden
