The Executive Secretary of Ebonyi State Health Insurance Agency (EBSHIA), Dr. Divine Igwe, has announced a sharp decline in the patronage of traditional birth attendants (TBAs) among pregnant women in the state. This development, he said, follows the successful enrollment of over 20,000 pregnant women under the state’s health insurance scheme.
In an exclusive interview with NATIONAL PANEL in Abakaliki, Dr. Igwe revealed that the agency's strategic enrollment program has granted pregnant women access to free quality healthcare services in accredited hospitals, eliminating the need for risky and unregulated TBA services.
“Before we came on board, maternal mortality in Ebonyi was 800 deaths per 1,000 births. Currently, it’s below 400. That’s a reduction of over 50%,” he said. He attributed this improvement largely to increased hospital deliveries supported by EBSHIA.
Dr. Igwe noted that economic hardship often pushed expectant mothers toward TBAs, but the agency's intervention, through financial coverage, has redirected them to safer medical facilities. “These 20,000 women are no longer worried about hospital costs because we now provide free services for them through health insurance,” he explained.
The Executive Secretary emphasized that EBSHIA's role is to purchase health services for enrollees rather than provide them directly. He clarified that clients have the right to change hospitals if dissatisfied, and the agency conducts regular monitoring and evaluation to ensure compliance with service standards. Hospitals found wanting receive warnings and may be delisted after repeated infractions.
Addressing allegations of financial mismanagement, Dr. Igwe firmly denied any wrongdoing. He disclosed that he met only ₦3.16 million upon assuming office in January 2023, contrary to reports claiming a handover of ₦450 million. “As we speak, we have over ₦544 million in the agency's account, saved transparently. We’ve even fixed ₦200 million with Sterling Bank. That’s public money, and we account for it,” he stated.
He also urged wealthy individuals and philanthropists in Ebonyi to contribute to the health insurance pool rather than hosting extravagant events, thereby allowing more vulnerable people to be covered.
Dr. Igwe dismissed rumors of punitive transfers within the agency, describing them as baseless claims from uninformed individuals. He maintained that his focus remains on achieving impactful health outcomes rather than engaging in distractions.
As Ebonyi State intensifies its health reforms, EBSHIA’s efforts appear to be driving a positive shift in maternal healthcare, offering hope for further reduction in maternal and infant mortality across the state.
