The Ebonyi State Health Insurance Agency (EBSHIA) has officially flagged off the enrolment of 29,000 persons living with HIV (PLHIV) into the state’s health insurance scheme at no cost to beneficiaries.
The event, held during the Network of People Living with HIV/AIDS in Nigeria (NEPWAN) Conference in Abakaliki, marked a major milestone in Ebonyi’s journey toward achieving universal health coverage.
Speaking at the ceremony, the Executive Secretary of EBSHIA, Dr. Divine Okemefuna Igwe, described the project as an “epoch-making intervention” supported by the Global Fund through collaboration with the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA) and the National Tuberculosis, Leprosy and Buruli Ulcer Control Programme (NTBLCP).
According to Igwe, the initiative will ensure that each enrollee receives free, comprehensive health services without any co-payment, granting access to treatment at accredited healthcare facilities across the state.
“No Ebonyian should be denied healthcare because of financial barriers. “This enrolment guarantees that people living with HIV can access quality care at all levels without paying at the point of service," Igwe said.
He commended the Governor Francis Nwifuru of Ebonyi State, for approving the free healthcare coverage for PLHIV, describing the Governor’s gesture as “a great milestone in the pursuit of equitable healthcare for all Ebonyians.”
The EBSHIA boss also assured participants of full confidentiality, explaining that the ID cards issued to beneficiaries are identical to those of general enrollees to avoid stigmatization.
“There will be no differential recognition or special marking. Everyone is treated with equal dignity, and all personal data is protected and encrypted," he said.
He further revealed that the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) has partnered with EBSHIA to make the registration process easier by issuing National Identification Numbers (NIN) on-site for those without one.
Igwe reaffirmed his personal commitment to ensuring that no Ebonyian dies because of lack of money to access medical care, while calling on all stakeholders and beneficiaries to cooperate for the success of the programme.
The event drew representatives from NHIA, NTBLCP, Global Fund, NIMC, and other stakeholders, who lauded the state’s proactive efforts in safeguarding the health and dignity of persons living with HIV.
With this Global Fund-supported intervention, Ebonyi State joins the frontline of subnational governments in Nigeria advancing inclusive healthcare through sustainable health insurance coverage.
