Enrolls 60000 Vulnerable Persons

Ebonyi State Government yesterday said that a total of 8000 Civil and Public servants in the State can now access comprehensive and efficient healthcare services through the Ebonyi State Health Insurance Agency, EBSHIA.

The State Government also said that the enrollment of 60000 vulnerable rural dwellers are currently ongoing in the 13 local government area of the State with the aim of stepping down it’s healthcare program to the rural areas.

The Executive Secretary of the Ebonyi State Health Insurance Agency, EBSHIA, Dr. Divine Igwe made the disclosure during the flag-off the Access to Care program of the agency at the De-Meritona Hotel Abakaliki, the Ebonyi State capital.

Dr. Igwe noted that before now, the agency has concluded the enrollment of the Civil and Public Servants into the program adding that with the payment of the premium by the State Government, the beneficiaries can now go to the hospitals and access care through the agency.

He noted that the services the State workers will receive includes primary, secondary and tertiary services adding that the aim is to enable the primary health centers to make referrals when they lack the manpower and equipment to cater for the health needs of the beneficiary.

He said that the beneficiaries can access the insurance healthcare at the Alex-Ekwueme Federal Teaching Hospital Abakaliki, the David Umahi Federal Teaching Hospital Uburu and the National Obstetrics Fistula Center Abakaliki among other hospitals listed in the program.

Dr. Igwe maintained that the beneficiaries will pay only 10% of the drugs used during the healthcare adding that the aim of paying 10% is to eliminate abuse of the services adding that the policy covers the beneficiary, the spouse and 4 biological children.

He noted that the policy does not cover domestic accidents, Gender Based Violence, cancer and transplant adding that the State Government has ensured that drugs has been made readily available to ensure that the beneficiaries access drugs.

The Executive Secretary pointed out that every facility will have about 295 persons in the ongoing enrollment of the 60000 vulnerable persons across the 13 local government area of the State adding that the Ward Development Committee WDC members have been saddled with the responsibility of selecting the beneficiaries.

Dr. Igwe stated that private individuals can as well benefit from the policy by paying a premium of N15000 annually and commended the State Governor, Francis Nwifuru for giving a standing order for the payment of the monthly premium.

Meanwhile, the Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC have called on the State Government to review the law establishing the Ebonyi State Health Insurance Agency EBSHIA to address some grew areas in the law.

The State Chairman of NLC, Prof Anthony Ogugue said that the part of the review includes, the establishment of a Board to monitor and regulate the activities of the agency adding that ensure its sustainability.