Adebayo Gbeja
The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has enrolled 379 inmates across custodial centres in the FCT into the Basic Healthcare Provision Fund (BHCPF) Health Insurance Scheme.
The command’s Public Relations Officer, DSC Duza Adamu disclosed this on Thursday in Abuja.
Adamu said that the enrollment exercise, accompanied by a comprehensive free medical outreach programme, was conducted across the three custodial centres under the FCT Command.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the custodial centres include Kuje, Suleja and Dukpa.
He said that the initiative represented a significant step in advancing the healthcare reform agenda of the Controller-General of Corrections (CGC), Sylvester Nwakuche.
He also said that the initiative was aimed at ensuring the inclusion of inmates in health insurance schemes across the country and expanding access to quality healthcare for persons in custody.
He added that beyond providing immediate healthcare services, the programme was designed to guarantee sustained access to essential medical care for inmates both during custody and upon discharge into society.
According to him, the official flag-off of the programme was held at the Kuje custodial centre, with the aim to strengthen rehabilitation and reintegration outcomes as well as promote public health.
The spokesperson said that inmates and personnel benefited from a wide range of medical services during the outreach, including blood pressure checks, blood glucose testing, malaria screening, eye examinations and consultations.
He also said that total of 180 prescriptions were filled, while more than 100 patients received optometry services and eye screenings.
“Reading glasses were distributed to beneficiaries, drugs and medical consumables were left behind to support continued healthcare delivery at the custodial clinic.
“The programme underscores the growing collaboration between the NCoS, FCT command and relevant government institutions in advancing correctional reforms,” he said
He added that the collaboration was geared towards protecting the rights and welfare of inmates and ensuring that they were not excluded from access to essential healthcare services in the nation’s capital territory.
Adamu quoted the command’s Controller of Corrections, Christopher Jen, as commending the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, for supporting the programme.
Jen also appreciated the Health Services and Environment Secretariat for extending critical healthcare interventions to inmates and correctional personnel.
He described the enrollment of inmates into the BHCPF as an important milestone in correctional administration and one that aligned with global best practices on humane custody and inmate welfare.
“This enrollment into the BHCPF and the accompanying medical outreach demonstrate that rehabilitation extends beyond confinement.
“Access to quality healthcare is fundamental to human dignity and contributes significantly to the reformation, rehabilitation and successful reintegration of inmates into society.
“The NCoS remains committed to strengthening partnerships that promote humane custody and improve the wellbeing of all persons entrusted to our care,” he said.
Speaking at the event, the Mandate Secretary, Health Services and Environment Secretariat (HS&ES), Dr Adedolapo Fasawe, described the programme as a practical demonstration of the commitment of the FCT Administration to Universal Health Coverage (UHC).
According to her, the outreach reflects the principle of leaving no one behind in the provision of healthcare services.
“This event stands as a testament to our collective mission to achieve UHC, a mandate that emphasises the principle of leaving no one behind.
“By offering free health checks, we are not only attending to medical needs but also fostering dignity and respect.
“Through this outreach across Kuje, Suleja and Dukpa custodial centres, we are breaking the cycle of neglect and marginalisation often faced by this vulnerable population,” she said.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
Edited by Deborah Coker