50 Ukwuinyi Women Enrol in Imo Health Insurance Scheme

By Everest Ezihe, Owerri

It was a moment of joy as 50 women from Ukwuinyi Village, Nkwerre Local Government Area of Imo State, were enrolled in the Imo State Health Insurance Scheme under the Imo State Health Insurance Agency (IMSHIA).

The enrolment exercise, which took place at the Ukwuinyi Village Women’s Hall on Thursday, was part of efforts to improve access to affordable healthcare for members of the community.

Addressing the beneficiaries, the IMSHIA Liaison Officer for Nkwerre LGA, Lady Ajoku Chioma, explained that the scheme would enable them to access quality medical care at subsidised rates upon presentation of their registration cards or other documents confirming payment of the annual premium of ₦15,000.

Ajoku disclosed that beneficiaries from Nkwerre, Orlu and other parts of the senatorial zone could access healthcare services at the Imo State University Teaching Hospital (IMSUTH), Orlu.

She added that beneficiaries would begin accessing medical services 30 days after registration.

“They stand to gain quality healthcare. They will pay 10 per cent of the cost of drugs given to them, but other things are free,” the liaison officer maintained.

Speaking to journalists shortly after the exercise, some of the beneficiaries said the initiative provided an important opportunity to address their healthcare needs and improve their general well-being through the state government’s health insurance programme.

The Home Branch President and Chairman of the Health Insurance Registration Committee, Lolo Egondu Nneji Dike, popularly known as Golden Lady; the Vice Chairman of the Health Committee, Mrs. Onyinye Oluigbo; and the Committee Secretary, Mrs. Caro Okparaocha, expressed delight over the successful enrolment.

They described the initiative as a welcome development that would significantly improve the health and welfare of the women.

The women also commended the President-General of Ukwuinyi Women Association, Amb. Chika Uju, for what they described as her compassionate, visionary, patriotic and people-oriented leadership, noting that her administration had continued to promote initiatives aimed at improving the welfare of members.

“The women are very happy, and the feat will boost their health and increase their collective joy,” they noted.

Association Awards Scholarships to Four University Students

In a related development, the Ukwuinyi Women Association presented financial assistance to four university students from the village in fulfilment of its scholarship commitment to indigent and academically outstanding students.

Presenting the funds to the beneficiaries, the Vice Chairlady and Chairman of the Association’s Education and Empowerment Committee, Mrs. Ngozi Francis, alongside the Treasurer, Mrs. Nwachinemere Ezeriwe, said the scholarship was intended to support the students in meeting their tuition obligations and pursuing their academic ambitions without undue financial pressure.

They urged the beneficiaries to remain focused, study diligently and strive for excellent academic performance, stressing that education would equip them to become responsible and productive members of their families, community and society at large.

The association’s representatives further affirmed that its scholarship programme for sons and daughters of Ukwuinyi Village in secondary and tertiary institutions would remain a continuous initiative, driven by its commitment to educational advancement and community development.

The beneficiaries, who were carefully selected from the four kindreds that make up Ukwuinyi Village, expressed gratitude to the women for the financial support.

They pledged to remain studious, law-abiding and committed to their studies, with a determination to attain academic excellence and achieve greater success in life.