Nkechinyere Ewa, Abakaliki
Mary-maudline Uzoamaka Nwifuru, the Founder of the Better Health for Rural Women, Children and Internally Displaced Persons (BERWO) Foundation and wife of Ebonyi State governor, has reaffirmed her commitment to expanding access to affordable and quality healthcare for vulnerable citizens through strategic partnerships and targeted interventions.
Nwifuru made the commitment during the enrollment of fresh 200 persons living with sickle cell disorder, also known as Sickle Cell Warriors, into the Ebonyi State Health Insurance Agency (EBSHIA) at the Women Development Centre, Abakaliki over the weekend.
BERWO Foundation reiterated its commitment to strengthening partnerships with EBSHIA and other stakeholders to expand access to quality healthcare, improve health outcomes for vulnerable populations and advance the realization of universal health coverage in Ebonyi State.
Represented by Felicia Nwankpuma the Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development, Nwifuru said the BERWO Foundation remains dedicated to improving the health and wellbeing of women, children and other vulnerable groups across the state.
She noted that people living with sickle cell disorder face enormous health and financial challenges due to the lifelong nature of the disease, stressing that access to quality healthcare should not be determined by an individual’s financial capacity.
According to her, enrolling the 200 beneficiaries into the state health insurance scheme is aimed at easing the burden of medical expenses on affected families while guaranteeing timely access to quality healthcare services. “Today, we are giving hope to 200 sickle cell warriors by enrolling them into the Ebonyi State Health Insurance Agency. This intervention will enable them to access quality healthcare without the burden of huge medical bills. At BERWO Foundation, we remain committed to restoring hope, improving lives, and ensuring that no vulnerable citizen is left behind,” she said.
Nwifuru explained that the initiative aligns with the healthcare vision of the administration of Governor Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru under the People’s Charter of Needs Agenda, which prioritises the health and welfare of Ebonyi residents.
She urged the beneficiaries to take advantage of the opportunity by attending regular medical appointments, adhering to prescribed treatments and maintaining healthy lifestyles.
In her goodwill message, Nkechi Emma-Echiegu, BERWO Foundation Team Lead, commended the wife of the governor for her commitment to improving the lives of vulnerable people, describing the enrollment exercise as another milestone in the foundation’s humanitarian interventions. She encouraged beneficiaries to make effective use of the health insurance scheme.
Also speaking, Elizabeth Ogechi Ogbaga, Chairman of the Board of the Ebonyi State Health Insurance Agency, thanked Nwifuru and BERWO Foundation for their sustained collaboration with the agency, noting that the partnership has significantly expanded health insurance coverage for pregnant women, children, persons living with disabilities and other vulnerable groups across the state.
Divine Igwe, the Executive Secretary of EBSHIA, educated the newly enrolled beneficiaries on the agency’s registration and service utilization guidelines, assuring them of the agency’s commitment to providing affordable and quality healthcare. He also encouraged them to report any challenges through the agency’s established complaint and feedback channels.
The event featured the formal presentation of EBSHIA enrollment materials to the 200 beneficiaries, who expressed gratitude to the Nwifuru, BERWO Foundation and the Ebonyi State Government for what they described as a life-changing intervention.