By Victor Nwegede, Abakaliki.
Governor Francis Nwifuru-led administration in Ebonyi has offered free surgical and medical treatment to over 500 servants suffering from different diseases in the state.
The Executive Secretary of the Ebonyi State Health Insurance Scheme, Dr Divine Igwe disclosed this during the flag-off of the Onwa Healthcare medical and surgical outreach for public and civil servants at Women Development Centre, Abakaliki.
Igwe said a total of 582 civil servants and are suffering varied ailments, including hernia, fibroid, eye problems, breast lum, finger lum, Hepatitis B, scrotal diseases and blockage of the fallopian tube.
He said the surgical and medical interventions for the sick Ebonyi civil servants by Governor Nwifuru have been judiciously delivered through the state health insurance Agency.
"Today, September 30th, marks the flag-off of the Onwa Healthcare medical and surgical outreach, made possible by His Excellency, Rt. Hon. Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru, on the 7th of November 2023, approved free health insurance for all civil servants.
"Since April 29th, 2024, civil servants and their families have accessed health services free of charge.
''Today, we gather to flag off specialized care for 500 registered cases, including eye screenings, insurance of eyeglasses, eye surgeries, fibroid, and hernia surgeries."
Igwe congratulated the beneficiaries and urged them to show appreciation to the governor for his unwavering support, noting that "Ebonyi State stands out as the only state where the Governor fully covers civil servants' health insurance premiums."
When visiting different hospitals where the beneficiaries were receiving treatment, they commended the state governor, saying that all expenses, including investigations, medications, and services charges, have been fully paid for by the governor through EBSHIA.
Mr James Nwamini, a hernia patient; Mrs Egwu Ehia Uguba - who had been offered free eye surgery, and Mrs Chioma Oroke - a fibroid patient, among other beneficiaries, described the gesture as the true demonstration of the dedication, diligence, and commitment to Governor Nwifuru to duties since assumption office.
Mrs Rita Okoro, the State Head of Service who represented Governor Nwifuru at the event, said the free medical interventions were meant for the public and civil servants in the state.
He said the initiative provides financial risk protection, reduces catastrophic medical expenditures, and ensures quality service delivery through renowned consultants' involvement.
He commended the Ebonyi State Health Insurance for having been committed to offering affordable health care services to the Ebonyians in line with his People Charter of Needs mantra.
Recall that many civil servants in the state had free medical screening and tests, some of them received treatment, including free eyeglasses during the flag-off of medical outreach.
