By CHINYERE Nnaemeka
The Imo State Health Insurance Agency (IMSHIA) has announced the commencement of National Identification Number (NIN) validation and the expansion of enrollment under the Basic Health Care Provision Fund (BHCPF), following the receipt of additional funding to widen access to healthcare services for pregnant women and other vulnerable groups in the state.
The Executive Secretary and Chief Executive Officer of IMSHIA, Dr. Uchenna Ewelike, disclosed this on Monday during a press briefing in Owerri. He explained that the additional funding, provided in line with the National Health Act 2014, is aimed at enrolling more pregnant women into the BHCPF safety net to ensure unhindered access to quality healthcare services before, during and after childbirth, without financial hardship.
Dr. Ewelike noted that the Federal Government, through the Ministerial Oversight Committee (MOC), has made NIN a mandatory requirement for all beneficiaries enrolled under the BHCPF nationwide, stressing that Imo State must comply with the directive.
“All pregnant women and vulnerable persons in Imo State who wish to enroll under the BHCPF are required to visit their nearest Primary Health Care centres with their NIN for free enrollment or validation,” he said.
According to him, the enrollment and validation exercise, which has received the approval of Governor Hope Uzodimma, will take place across the 305 INEC wards in the 27 Local Government Areas of the state.
Dr. Ewelike revealed that the agency recorded significant milestones in the year under review, including zero maternal deaths among beneficiaries of the BHCPF, despite the high number of normal, assisted and Caesarean deliveries carried out.
“This achievement reflects our high technical capacity, strict compliance with national and local fiduciary standards, and the strong political will supporting BHCPF implementation in Imo State,” he stated.
He added that available data shows that over 500,000 vulnerable Imolites have benefited from the BHCPF, with notable successes recorded in maternal health, child health, elderly care and healthcare services for persons living with disabilities.
The Executive Secretary further announced that the new enrollment and validation exercise will commence on Tuesday, December 16, 2025, and will last for 10 days, providing another opportunity to capture pregnant women who were not enrolled in the first and second quarters of the year.
“We have the capacity to absorb all pregnant women in Quarter 3 and Quarter 4 and guide them through pregnancy to safe and successful delivery,” he assured, urging families and communities to encourage eligible women to take advantage of the exercise.
Dr. Ewelike also commended Governor Hope Uzodimma for his unwavering support for health insurance coverage in the state, noting that his commitment has enabled the enrollment of civil servants, pensioners, pregnant women, and poor and vulnerable citizens.
He said the governor’s support has strengthened IMSHIA’s operations and ensured the delivery of measurable and impactful healthcare services at the grassroots.
“Today, Imolites can feel the visible impact of Governor Hope Uzodimma’s Health Insurance Programme across the length and breadth of the state,” he said.
Dr. Ewelike concluded by calling on residents to embrace the initiative, describing it as a critical step toward achieving Universal Health Coverage and protecting citizens from catastrophic and impoverishing healthcare costs.
The Imo State Health Insurance Agency reaffirmed its commitment to non-partisan service delivery and to ensuring that all Imolites have access to affordable and quality healthcare.
