Wife of the Ebonyi State Governor, Mrs. Mary-Maudline Nwifuru, on Wednesday flagged off the second phase of the enrollment of 10,000 pregnant women into the Ebonyi State Health Insurance Scheme, saying the initiative aims to reduce maternal mortality and ensure safer deliveries across the state.
Speaking at the Women Development Centre, Abakaliki, Mrs. Nwifuru explained that the programme—supported by the Ebonyi State Health Insurance Scheme in collaboration with BERWO Foundation—was designed to provide pregnant women with essential items, health education, and access to quality maternal care until delivery.
She emphasized that the enrollment is completely free, adding that it will help reduce maternal deaths while ensuring that “every mother and baby deserves dignity, a healthy start, and that no woman should die while giving life.”
According to her, “Apart from targeting 10,000 pregnant women across the 177 wards that make up the state, we are encouraging antenatal attendance, safe delivery practices, nutrition awareness, breastfeeding, and emotional support for our mothers-to-be.”
Mrs. Nwifuru continued:
“It is with a heart full of joy and deep gratitude to God that I welcome you all to this very special occasion—the official flag-off of the second phase of the enrollment of ten thousand pregnant women into the Ebonyi State Health Insurance Scheme.
As First Lady and as a mother, I understand the joys and challenges of pregnancy and motherhood. While motherhood should bring hope and happiness, for many women, especially in rural areas, it is often a journey of fear. This is why this initiative is close to my heart.”
She expressed appreciation to the State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Moses Ekuma, the Executive Secretary of the Ebonyi State Health Insurance Scheme, Dr. Divine Igwe, as well as the BERWO Foundation and all healthcare workers “who continue to serve with compassion, skill, and resilience.”
“You are the silent heroes behind every healthy delivery and every saved life,” she added.
“To our mothers here today and across Ebonyi State: You are strong. You are valuable. And you are the heartbeat of our communities. Today, we celebrate you not just for bringing forth life, but for being the pillars of families and society.”
Mrs. Nwifuru urged the beneficiaries to take full advantage of the programme.
“I encourage you to attend your antenatal and postnatal appointments, listen to the advice of health professionals, and take care of your health and that of your unborn babies. Your health is your strength,” she said.
In his remarks, the Executive Secretary of the Ebonyi State Health Insurance Scheme, Dr. Divine Igwe, commended the governor’s wife for her dedication to the health and wellbeing of women and vulnerable groups in the state. He described the initiative as one of the largest healthcare interventions in Nigeria.
“This gesture will give hope, courage, and life to pregnant women because pregnancy should not be a death sentence,” Dr. Igwe said.
“Through her efforts, over 4,000 women and vulnerable persons, including 300 sickle cell patients, have already been enrolled. Many families have benefited from this intervention, and we will continue to track them to ensure they receive the best quality healthcare delivery.”
