Ebonyi Health Insurance Agency Enrollment of 20,000 Pregnant Women into the scheme
From Omaka OKOH, Abakaliki
Executive Secretary of the Ebonyi State Health Insurance Agency (EBSHIA), Dr. Divine Igwe, has disclosed that the agency has successfully enrolled about 20,000 pregnant women into the scheme.
Dr. Igwe explained that prior to his tenure, the maternal mortality rate in Ebonyi was about 800 deaths per 1,000 births, implying that for every 1,000 women giving birth, 800 did not survive. But due to the agency’s efforts, this figure has now dropped to below 400, showcasing a significant improvement in maternal health outcomes.
He emphasised that one of the primary factors contributing to maternal mortality was the lack of access to quality healthcare. Many women opted to deliver with traditional birth attendants (TBAs) instead of seeking care at hospitals, which often led to fatal complications, such as postpartum hemorrhage.
“Part of the reason people die is because they don’t seek quality health care,” Dr. Igwe stated. “Instead of coming to the hospital, they go to TBAs, and if complications arise, they may not survive.”
Dr. Igwe’s bold initiatives and outreach programs have played a crucial role in enrolling pregnant women into the health insurance scheme, thereby effectively reducing reliance on traditional birth practices and advocating for hospital care.
according to him, these efforts not only save lives but also contribute to the overall enhancement of healthcare delivery in Ebonyi state, highlighting the agency’s strategy of cross-subsidisation of health services to ensure affordability for individuals.
“One thing about the type of work I do is that it is on record both in videography and any other thing. We purchase services. We don’t supply services,” he clarified, explaining the operational framework of EBSHIA.
"With the successful enrollment of over 20,000 pregnant women, we optimistic about further improvements in the state’s health indices. He expressed commitment to ensuring that every pregnant woman has access to quality healthcare, which is vital to continuing the positive trend in maternal health outcomes in Ebonyi. We promise a future where maternal mortality rates continue to decline, and health insurance becomes an integral part of reproductive health."
