By Ngwuta Chinedu, Abakaliki
The Ebonyi state commissioner for health, Moses Ekuma said the Governor of state, Francis Nwifuru has directed the executive secretary of Ebonyi State Health Insurance Agency (EBSHIA )to henceforth enroll all HIV patients in the state into the agency’s program and provide holistic health package for them, saying the high cost of anti retroviruse drugs has made it impossible for the carriers to access drugs as at when due.
The Commissioner stateed this at the Women Development Centre (WDC) Abakaliki the Ebonyi state Capital during a media briefing on the achievements of His Excellency the Governor of Ebonyi state through EBSHIA
He informed that the agency has enrolled 14000 of them to benefit from the scheme adding it targets over forty thousand patients in the nearest future.
Ekuma revealed that when the administration took office, only seven doctors were available to cover 14 general hospitals. “Today, we have over 40 doctors serving in the Ministry of Health, modern equipment in our hospitals, and an agency to manage drug procurement and distribution,” he added
In his remarks, the Executive Secretary of the Agency Dr. Divine Igwe said the essence of the media interactive section was to showcase the key achievements of the Governor of the state, Francis Nwifuru in the health subsector
“In delivering accessible and quality healthcare to the people of Ebonyi over the past two years. This briefing aims to inform the media and the public about the milestone reached, Share real-life testimonies of beneficiaries, and strengthen public trust and engagement in the ongoing transformation of the state’s health sector”
He added that the agency has selected one primary health care center in each of the one hundred and seventy one political wards in the state, noting the federal government has concluded plans to bring number of primary health care centers to three in each of the wards.
He said a total of 137,133 individuals were enrolled between 2023 and 2024. These included 42,088 children under the age of five, 20,786 pregnant women, 15,644 elderly persons, and 1,210 persons living with disabilities. In addition, 41,783 indigent residents were enrolled, along with 8,061 civil servants under the formal sector and 2,214 individuals under the informal sector. Another 5,347 students benefited through the Tertiary Institutions Social Health Insurance Programme (TISHIP).
He disclosed that over 86,000 people became active beneficiaries of the scheme in 2024 alone, receiving various free medical services such as antenatal care, deliveries, immunizations, eye care, surgeries, and disease management, among others.
“The impact has been significant. Our enrollees are receiving quality healthcare without the burden of out-of-pocket payments, thanks to the vision of the Governor and support from the First Lady’s BERWO initiative,” Igwe said.
The Chairman of the EBSHIA Board, Barrister Elizabeth Ogbaga, applauded the state’s efforts, noting that critical gaps in healthcare personnel, equipment, and access had been addressed over the past two years.
Labour leaders, including Prof. Egwu Ogugua of the Nigeria Labour Congress and Comrade Chidi Igboji of the Trade Union Congress, alongside the Chairman Nigeria Union of Journalists NUJ Ebonyi State Council – Comrade Samson Nwafor also commended the achievements. They urged for further decentralization of the scheme to reach rural communities and called on well-to-do Individuals to sponsor health insurance for vulnerable individuals.