Wife of Ebonyi State Governor, Mrs. Mary-Maudline Nwifuru, on Wednesday, launched the second phase of enrolling 10 thousand pregnant women into the Ebonyi State health insurance scheme, noting that the initiative aims to reduce the mortality rate among pregnant women.

Performing the flag-off at Women Development Centre in Abakaliki, Mrs. Nwifuru noted that the programme was supported by Ebonyi State Health Insurance Scheme in collaboration with BERWO Foundation, and she added that it was designed to assist pregnant women with essential items, health education, and access to maternal care until their delivery.Mrs. Nwifuru noted that the enrolment is free, believing that it will not only reduce the mortality rate but also ensure that every mother and baby deserves dignity and a healthy start.

She emphasised that no woman should die while giving life.

She noted that, apart from targeting 10,000 pregnant women across the 177 wards that make up the state, we are also encouraging antenatal attendance, safe delivery practices, nutrition awareness, breastfeeding, and emotional support for our mothers-to-be.She said, “It is with a heart full of joy and deep gratitude to God that I welcome you all to this very special occasion, the official flag-off of phase 2 of the enrollment of 10,000 pregnant women into the Ebonyi State health insurance scheme.“As First Lady, and as a mother, I understand the joys and the challenges of pregnancy and motherhood, and I also understand that while motherhood should bring hope and happiness, for many women, especially in rural areas, it is often a journey of fear.

So this is why this initiative is close to my heart.”Let me use this opportunity to thank the state Commissioner of Health, Dr. Moses Ekuma, the Executive Secretary of Ebonyi State Health Insurance Scheme, Dr. Divine Igwe, the BERWO Foundation team and healthcare workers who continue to serve with compassion, skill, and resilience.

You are the silent heroes behind every healthy delivery and every saved life.””To our mothers here today and across Ebonyi State: You are strong. You are valuable. And you are the heartbeat of our communities. Today, we celebrate you not just for bringing forth life, but for being the pillars of families and society”.

“I encourage you to attend your antenatal and postnatal appointments, listen to the advice of health professionals, and take care of your health and that of your unborn babies. Your health is your strength”.Speaking, the Executive Secretary of Ebonyi State Health Scheme, Dr. Divine Igwe, thanked the governor’s wife for her intervention in the healthcare of women and vulnerable ones in the state.

She said that the gesture will give hope, courage and life to pregnant women because pregnancy should not be a death sentence.He said this intervention is one of the largest in the country, noting that over 4,000 women and vulnerable individuals, including 300 sickle cell patients, have been enrolled through her efforts.

“Many families have enjoyed these health interventions from the wife of the governor, but we are not only enrolling them, we will also track them to make sure they get the best quality healthcare delivery,” he noted.