The Ebonyi State Health Insurance Agency (EBSHIA) says it has enrolled more than 166,115 people, facilitated 437,027 healthcare encounters and delivered more than 500,000 healthcare-related services to beneficiaries.
The agency’s Executive Secretary, Dr Divine Igwe, disclosed this in Abakaliki on Wednesday at a media engagement showcasing its achievements and beneficiaries’ testimonies.
Igwe said the state government had spent N3.7 billion on various interventions through the agency as part of its commitment to providing adequate healthcare.
“Enrolment has increased from a baseline of 32,149 when the present administration took over in 2023 to 166,115, representing a 417 per cent increase.
“We have an additional 133,969 beneficiaries across the state’s 13 local government areas and 171 wards. They include pregnant women, children, elderly people, people living with HIV, tuberculosis patients and civil servants.
“The agency has enrolled 38,322 pregnant women, 39,004 children, 15,311 elderly people, 10,085 civil servants and 5,347 students, among other categories,” he said.
Igwe said that despite the growth, coverage remained at approximately 5.2 per cent of Ebonyi’s estimated population of 3.2 million.
“We appeal to well-meaning philanthropists to use their empowerment initiatives to enrol more vulnerable residents in villages and communities.
“Political appointees should sponsor at least 20 vulnerable people each, while newly elected local government chairmen should enrol their workers.
“Media practitioners should intensify public awareness by taking the message of health insurance to the hinterlands,” he said.
The EBSHIA Board Chairman, Mrs Elizabeth Ogbaga, said the engagement was organised to showcase the achievements of the administration of Gov. Francis Nwifuru.
Ogbaga urged participants to share their experiences and encouraged media practitioners to seek clarification to ensure accurate reporting of the agency’s activities.
“The governor has impacted lives through the agency, and its management has discharged its mandate of providing quality healthcare to the people with utmost commitment,” she said.
The Governor’s Special Assistant on Primary Healthcare, Dr Sabinus Nwibo, described the health insurance scheme as a life-changing intervention that reflects the governor’s commitment to healthcare.
“Nwifuru demonstrated this commitment even before becoming governor through his role in establishing the agency’s legal framework as Speaker of the State House of Assembly,” he said.
Miss Happiness Ituma, a beneficiary receiving treatment for sickle cell disease, thanked the agency for its support and prayed for God’s blessing on the governor.
The Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Ebonyi Council, Mr Samson Nwafor, described beneficiaries’ testimonies as a practical way to enrich media reports and assured the agency of effective media coverage.
The event also featured goodwill messages from traditional rulers, civil society organisations and students.
