By Chukwuemeka Opara

HIV patients in Ebonyi State can now breathe a sigh of relief as the Ebonyi State Health Insurance Agency (EBSHIA) has opened enrolment opportunities for them into its health insurance scheme.

Dr Moses Ekuma, the State Commissioner for Health, disclosed this on Thursday in Abakaliki during a media briefing highlighting Gov. Francis Nwifuru’s achievements through EBSHIA within his two years in office.

Ekuma explained that the scheme secured global funding to enrol HIV-positive patients, relieving them of the financial burden of procuring anti-retroviral drugs.

He added that enrolled patients would also receive free treatment for other medical conditions such as malaria, hepatitis, hypertension, diabetes, and maternal health services, including pre- and post-natal care.

“We encourage HIV patients to take advantage of this opportunity by enrolling in the scheme.

“They can now focus their resources on other needs aside from HIV drugs,” Ekuma said.

He noted that Nwifuru’s interventions had significantly boosted the scheme’s success, with the number of enrolees increasing from 37,000 before his administration to 137,000 currently.

“Universal health coverage cannot be achieved without health insurance, as lack of funds often prevents people from accessing adequate medical care.

“The First Lady’s support has also expanded ante- and post-natal services, reducing maternal and pre-natal mortality,” Ekuma added.

Dr Divine Igwe, Executive Secretary of EBSHIA, said that active enrolment in 2024 alone reached 86,000.

“We have enrolled 40,088 children under five, 20,786 pregnant women, 1,210 persons with disabilities, 41,763 indigents, 2,214 informal sector workers, and 5,347 from the tertiary sector,” he stated.

Igwe urged well-meaning individuals and organisations to sponsor community members’ enrolment to help the scheme achieve wider coverage.

One of the beneficiaries, Mrs Precious Aloke, prayed for the agency’s continued success in enhancing health services.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that goodwill messages were also delivered by representatives from the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), traditional rulers council, civil society organisations, and others during the event. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Abiemwense Moru