Enugu gov’s wife unveils health insurance scheme for pregnant women

The wife of the Enugu State Governor, Mrs. Nkechinyere Mbah, on Tuesday, unveiled a health insurance scheme, ‘Mama Care Initiative’ to address maternal and infant mortality in the state.

So far, she has enrolled about 1,701 pregnant women in a one-year health insurance programme.

Mbah said, “The initiative, in partnership with the Custos Care Foundation, aims to reduce maternal and infant mortality in the state by providing comprehensive healthcare services, including antenatal care, safe delivery, and postnatal care.”

Beneficiaries also received financial support and foodstuffs, including 1,701 bags of rice, to support their nutritional needs.

Throwing more light on the initiative, Mbah said, “Too often, the joy of pregnancy is overshadowed by the fear and uncertainty brought about by financial constraints, leading many women to seek the services of traditional birth attendants. While these attendants have served their communities for generations, the realities of modern healthcare necessitate a shift towards facilities, equipped to handle the complexities of childbirth.

“Through the Mama Care Initiative, we are taking decisive action to bridge this gap by paying for a one-year health insurance premium for 1,701 pregnant women across our 17 local government areas, ensuring that 100 women from each L.G.A will have access to comprehensive healthcare services, which includes not only antenatal care but also the safe and supervised conditions necessary for delivery in our hospitals and healthcare centres.

“Our vision is to reduce maternal and infant mortality in our state significantly. It is unacceptable that in this era, women should lose their lives giving birth or that infants should not survive their first days due to preventable complications.

“We aim to provide our mothers with the security and support they need to bring new life into the world safety and healthily. This commitment is to the welfare and healthcare of our mothers and children in Enugu State.

“The Mama Care Initiative is designed to provide essential services such as prenatal and postnatal care, nutritional support, health education, and access to medical resources. It will bring essential medical services directly to our communities, ensuring that even the most remote areas benefit from the expertise and care of our dedicated healthcare professionals.”

She added, “By combining the provision of health insurance with proactive medical outreach, we are creating a robust support system for our expectant mothers.

“It is a health intervention and pledge of support to every woman in Enugu State, a promise that we see you, hear you, and are committed to standing by you through one of the most critical phases of your life.

“We encourage all our pregnant mothers to utilize these services, to attend their antenatal appointments diligently, take your routine drugs religiously and to choose hospitals or healthcare centres for childbirth. Your health and the health of your baby are paramount.

“We understand the importance of proper nutrition for both mother and child, and we are here to ensure that you have the resources needed to thrive.”

The state Commissioner for Health, Prof Emmanuel Obi, described the initiative as a significant milestone in the state’s efforts to improve healthcare services, particularly for pregnant women and newborns.

The programme has been hailed as a game-changer by beneficiaries, who expressed gratitude for the support and care they will receive during pregnancy and childbirth.