By joshua 
Governor Nwifuru’s Wife Enrols 10,000 Pregnant Women Into Health Insurance Scheme In Ebonyi
By Agbo Amuche, Abakaliki
The wife of the Governor of Ebonyi State Chief (Mrs) Mary Maudline Uzoamaka Nwifuru has enrolled over ten thousand pregnant women from the 171 wards of the State into Ebonyi State health insurance agency EBSHIA for free antenatal care and delivery as well as post natal services.
This was the second phase of the programme after over four thousand and seventy eight pregnant women earlier enrolled into the scheme by the wife of the Governor have successfully delivered.
The event was organized by Ebonyi State health insurance agency in partnership with Better health for rural women, children and internally displaced persons foundation (BERWO), the pet project of the Governor’s wife.
Speaking while flagging off the second phase on Wednesday at women Development centre Abakaliki, the Governor’s wife said the initiative gave thousands of women across the thirteen Local Government Areas the opportunity to access quality antenatal care, safe delivery, postnatal services.
According to her “That first phase was a success. It gave thousands of women across our 13 local government areas the opportunity to access quality antenatal care, safe delivery, and postnatal services, all without the burden of cost. It saved lives, restored hope, and gave confidence to families who once saw healthcare as a privilege beyond their reach”
“Today, we build on that success. We are not slowing down; we are expanding the circle of care, which enrolls 10,000 pregnant women across the 171 wards of Ebonyi State, demonstrating our unwavering commitment to ensuring that no mother dies while giving life and no child is denied a chance to live healthy because of poverty”
“This intervention, spearheaded through a strong collaboration between BERWO Foundation and EBSHIA, is a health and social protection effort. It ensures that every enrolled woman receives antenatal care, delivery services, postnatal care, and emergency medical attention, all fully covered under the state health insurance plan. This is not just an act of governance; it is an act of love, empathy, and faith in the strength of our women. Because when a woman is healthy, her family thrives. And when families thrive, our communities prosper”
She encouraged the pregnant mothers to avail themselves into the opportunity. “Ensure that you register, attend your antenatal appointments, and deliver in accredited health facilities. Your safety and that of your babies are precious to us. Let this be a turning point for better health choices and greater trust in the healthcare system”
She reaffirmed the State government’s commitment to ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for everyone at all ages. “We will continue to sustain this through medical outreaches, free surgeries, maternal and child health programs, and community-based health insurance drives, to ensure that no one in Ebonyi State is left without access to quality healthcare”
Earlier in his remark, the Executive Secretary of the State Health Insurance Agency, Dr Divine Igwe, said the initiative aligned with the Universal Health Coverage and equally the peoples Charter of Needs mantra of the Governor Francis Nwifuru administration.
Dr Igwe noted that over 4, 098 persons, comprising women and, elderly, have earlier been enrolled into the health insurance scheme.
The Executive Secretary assured that the enrollees would be properly attended to towards ensuring that they obtain safe delivery.
The State Commissioner for health Dr. Moses Ekuma said the pregnant women would receive free antenatal care, free delivery and also receive six weeks postnatal care.
The Commissioner added that the first lady through her pet project BERWO had earlier provided free health services to those with scrotal hernia, sickle cell patients among others.
He commended Gov Nwifuru for his commitment and dedication to providing adequate health care services to Ebonyi people, noting that the interventions has made maternal and mortality rate reduce drastically in the State.
The AlGON chairman in the State through the wife of Executive chairman of Ezza North LGA Mrs Elizabeth Ogbodo Ali Nome hailed the giant achievements of the Governor Nwifuru and wife in the health sector and called on pregnant women in the State to avail themselves into the opportunity to enhance safe delivery.
On behalf of traditional rulers, Eze Charles Mkpuma applauded the initiative and described it as welcome development while assuring to spreading the the message to their various local localities to enhance mass participation.
The chairman of EBSHIA board Barr. Elizabeth Ogbaga disclosed that the first lady had earlier enrolled four thousand and seventy eight pregnant women and they have all delivered successfully and now enrolling ten thousand pregnant mothers, saying it takes the woman with Godly mind like Mrs Nwifuru to carry out such initiative and prayed God to give her strength to continue to render such selfless services to humanity in the State.
On behalf of BERWO team, Professor Nkechi Echiegu maintained that the foundation is committed to impacting on the lives Ebonyi people positively and urged pregnant women in the State to always deliver at the hospital to enhance safe delivery.
The event had in attendance development partners, traditional rulers among others.