The Executive Secretary of Ebonyi State Health Insurance Scheme, Dr. Divine Igwe, on Thursday, emphasised the need for collaboration among philanthropists and stakeholders in the community to enhance enrollment efforts into the scheme.

Igwe called for mobilisation and support to register at least 1,000 individuals per ward into the scheme.

He stated this in Abakaliki during a press conference and highlighted the achievements of the health insurance agency under the leadership of Governor Francis Nwifuru.

Igwe added that the agency had enrolled over 14,000 HIV Patients in the last two years, bringing the total number of enrollments to 137,000.

The Executive Secretary maintained that such actions could significantly lower mortality rates and tackle the rising threat of conditions like high
blood pressure, which poses a risk to community health.

Since its inception in 2018, the agency, according to Igwe, has focused on reducing out-of-pocket medical expenses for residents across all thirteen Local Government Areas and the 171 electoral wards in Ebonyi State.

He provided insight into the impressive growth of the enrollment figures, revealing that before the current administration’s tenure in 2023, only 34,000 individuals were enrolled in the scheme, noting that in just two years, the number has soared to over 137,000.

He noted that in November 2023, the state government made an ambitious move by approving free health insurance coverage for all civil servants, eliminating any financial contributions required from them.

Highlighting the agency’s commitment to addressing the healthcare needs of people living with HIV/AIDS, Dr. Igwe shared that the state has partnered with the Global Fund to provide free healthcare services to this vulnerable population.

Igwe announced that over 14,000 HIV patients have been successfully enrolled in the State Health Insurance Scheme between 2023 and 2024.

The initiative aims to provide equitable access to healthcare services without imposing financial burdens on residents, particularly those living with HIV/AIDS.

“The agency’s accomplishments over the past two years have been profoundly impactful on the lives of our citizens,” Igwe stated, underscoring the importance of expanding health insurance coverage.