Executive Secretary of the Ebonyi State Health Insurance Agency (EBSHIA), Dr. Divine Igwe, on Friday, announced that the agency has launched the third phase of its free medical and surgical intervention programme, targeting over 2,000 patients across the 177 wards in the state.

In a chat with journalists in Abakaliki, Dr. Igwe stated that a total of 1,101 patients have already been registered for treatment across the state. He further explained that the intervention is conducted three times annually and is part of Governor Francis Nwifuru’s commitment to providing accessible healthcare under his administration’s “People’s Charter of Needs” agenda.

The EBSHIA boss revealed that the current phase is being carried out in collaboration with the office of the Ebonyi First Lady, Chief Mrs. Mary-Maudline Uzoamaka Nwifuru, through her project, Better Health for Rural Women, Children and Internally Displaced Persons, BERWO.

Providing a breakdown of the ongoing exercise, Dr. Igwe revealed that, so far, 415 residents have been registered with hernias, 36 with fibroids, and 650 with various eye problems.

The eye-related cases, he noted, would be screened further to determine those requiring surgery, while others would receive medications and eyeglasses.
“As of today, we have documented 415 hernia cases, 36 fibroid cases, and 650 eye cases, totalling 1,101 beneficiaries.

“By the time registration closes, we may hit over 2,000 patients. All of them will undergo free treatment, fully paid for by the government,” he stated.
Igwe recalled that while the previous administration supported patients by paying their hospital bills directly, the present government has institutionalised the process through health insurance for sustainability.

“Instead of waiting until people face emergencies before paying their bills, we are enrolling them on the state health insurance scheme.
“This way, they can access medical care for a whole year or more without financial hardship,” he explained.

He emphasised that health insurance is primarily designed to provide financial risk protection and reduce catastrophic medical expenditures for both indigenous people and residents of Ebonyi State.

According to him, the Governor’s wife is expected to officially flag off the surgeries upon her return, after which beneficiaries will be assigned to accredited hospitals for treatment.
Regarding the agency’s strategy for ensuring accountability, Igwe stated that patients are being carefully registered, issued identity cards, and assigned to specific hospitals.
He added that only qualified consultants and accredited hospitals are permitted to carry out the surgical procedures.