The wife of the Ebonyi State Governor, Mrs. Mary-Maudline Nwifuru, has flagged off the second phase of enrolling 10,000 pregnant women into the Ebonyi State Health Insurance Scheme (EBSHIS) — a key initiative aimed at reducing maternal and infant mortality across the state.
Speaking at the launch held at the Women Development Centre, Abakaliki, Mrs. Nwifuru said the project, implemented in partnership with the BERWO Foundation and the Ebonyi State Health Insurance Scheme, seeks to provide free healthcare coverage, antenatal support, and essential maternal items for expectant mothers.
She explained that the initiative was inspired by the need to ensure that no woman dies while giving life.
“Motherhood should bring joy, not fear,” she said. “Through this programme, we are ensuring that every pregnant woman, especially in rural communities, receives access to quality healthcare, nutrition education, and emotional support until delivery.”
Mrs. Nwifuru added that the ongoing phase will reach women in all 177 wards of Ebonyi State, promoting antenatal care attendance, safe delivery, and proper breastfeeding practices.
Expressing appreciation to the Commissioner for Health, Dr. Moses Ekuma, the Executive Secretary of EBSHIS, Dr. Divine Igwe, and the BERWO Foundation, the Governor’s wife commended their dedication to improving maternal health outcomes in the state.
“To our mothers here today and across Ebonyi State — you are the strength of our homes and the heartbeat of our communities,” she said. “Take your antenatal and postnatal visits seriously and prioritize your health and that of your babies.”
In his remarks, Dr. Divine Igwe, Executive Secretary of EBSHIS, lauded Mrs. Nwifuru’s intervention, describing it as one of the largest maternal health support programmes in Nigeria.
He revealed that over 4,000 women and vulnerable individuals, including 300 sickle cell patients, had previously benefited from similar health interventions initiated by the First Lady.
“This is more than an enrolment drive — it’s a life-saving intervention that gives hope and dignity to women,” he noted. “We are also tracking beneficiaries to ensure they receive continuous, quality healthcare services.”
The Ebonyi Health Insurance Scheme continues to expand under the Nwifuru administration, focusing on inclusive healthcare for women, children, and vulnerable groups as part of efforts to achieve the Sustainable Development Goal 3 (Good Health and Well-Being) in the state.
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