The Ebonyi State Health Insurance Agency (EBSHIA) recently organized a two-day training workshop for its newly reconstituted board to enhance service delivery. The board, led by former House of Representatives member Elizabeth Ogbaga, was inaugurated on February 11, 2025, by Governor Francis Nwifuru.
During the session in Abakaliki on March 12, Ebonyi State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Moses Ekuma, highlighted the critical role of all stakeholders in healthcare, including doctors, ambulance drivers, and revenue collectors. He urged board members to maximize the training to improve agency operations and justify the trust placed in them.
EBSHIA’s Executive Secretary, Dr. Divine Igwe, noted that the agency, established in 2018 and launched in 2021, has enrolled over 86,000 residents in its health insurance scheme. Beneficiaries have access to essential services such as free surgeries, maternal and child healthcare, and eye treatments. He also acknowledged the contribution of the Ebonyi First Lady through her Better Health for Rural Women and Internally Displaced Foundation (BERWO), which has strengthened healthcare initiatives. As part of this collaboration, EBSHIA plans to provide free eye care for traditional rulers on April 9, 2025.
Dr. Ken Ogbu, State Coordinator of the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA), commended Ebonyi for its progress in meeting the requirements for a functional state health insurance agency. He emphasized that NHIA and state agencies work together to expand healthcare access.
Former EBSHIA board chairman, Chief Goddy Ogbaga, underscored the importance of teamwork, while Dr. Ibiam Azu Agwu of USAID-Health Workforce Management advised trainees to seek clarity in their roles for better efficiency. With this initiative, EBSHIA aims to strengthen its governance and improve healthcare access across Ebonyi State.
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