Over 137,000 Health Insurance Beneficiaries Endorse Nwifuru For Second Term

‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎The Ebonyi State Health Insurance Agency (EBSHIA) and over 137,000 beneficiaries of its health insurance programme have endorsed Governor Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru for a second term in office, citing his administration’s remarkable strides in strengthening healthcare delivery across the state. ‎

‎The endorsement rally commenced at the Christian Ecumenical Centre, Abakaliki, where beneficiaries and supporters carrying placards bearing the governor’s portrait converged before marching to the Pa Ngele Oruta Township Stadium, venue of the grand endorsement event. ‎ ‎Speaking at the gathering, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Health, Dr. Lawrence Ezeogo, and Chairman of the EBSHIA Board, Barr. Ogechi Ogbaga, lauded Governor 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.

‎ ‎Earlier, the Executive Secretary of EBSHIA, Dr. Divine Okemefunna Igwe, thanked Governor Nwifuru for his unwavering support to the agency and his commitment to improving healthcare outcomes for vulnerable populations within and outside Ebonyi State. ‎ ‎According to him, more than 137,000 persons have benefited from the agency’s programmes, including 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, Dr. 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. ‎ ‎The endorsement, observers say, underscores growing support for Governor Nwifuru’s administration among beneficiaries of one of the state's flagship social welfare and healthcare programmes. ‎