The Imo State Health Insurance Agency (IMSHIA) partnered with The Widow Aid Foundation to enroll 100 widows into the ImoCare Health Insurance Programme on Tuesday, 23rd June 2026, in commemoration of International Widows Day 2026.
The enrollment exercise took place at the IMSHIA State Office, Owerri, and aligns with this year’s global theme, _“Invisible Women, Invisible Problems.”_ Each beneficiary was issued an ImoCare ID card, granting access to quality healthcare services without financial hardship at IMSHIA-accredited facilities across the state.
The event was attended by key stakeholders in health and women’s development like Hon. Nkechinyere Ugwu, Honourable Commissioner for Women Affairs & Social Development, popularly known as _Mama Palliative_; Mr. Phil Amaefule, MCArb, Chairperson, FIDA Nigeria, Imo State Chapter; and Prof. Uchenna Ewelike, Executive Secretary/CEO of IMSHIA, who received the guests.
Speaking at the event, Prof. Ewelike said the initiative reflects the state’s commitment to Universal Health Coverage (UHC) and financial risk protection for vulnerable groups.
“The Imo State Government is putting mechanisms in place to ensure the protection of all citizens against financial risks associated with health care. When we cover a widow, we protect a family, a business, and a community. UHC means leaving no one behind,”_ Prof. Ewelike stated.
Hon. Nkechinyere Ugwu described the enrollment as _“3R in action — Recovery, Rehabilitation, and Reconstruction”_ for Imo women, noting that health security is critical to the socio-economic stability of widows.
Mr. Phil Amaefule of FIDA Nigeria commended the collaboration, adding that access to healthcare is a right and not a privilege, and pledged continued advocacy for the legal and social protection of widows.
The ImoCare benefit package covers consultations, essential medicines, maternity services, surgeries, and other healthcare needs with zero out-of-pocket payment at the point of service.
The intervention directly addresses the burden of catastrophic health expenditure, which has historically pushed vulnerable households deeper into poverty.
IMSHIA and The Widow Aid Foundation disclosed plans to monitor health service utilization among the new enrollees and to scale the model to reach more vulnerable women across the 27 Local Government Areas of Imo State.
The enrollment drive contributes to IMSHIA’s broader goal of expanding coverage under ImoCare, which has recorded over 2.7 million enrollees within two and a half years of operation.
