By Vicky Attah, Correspondent
The Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS) has unveiled plans to strengthen healthcare delivery in custodial centres, with a focus on improving the welfare of female inmates, expanding mental health support and securing inmates’ enrolment in the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS).
Controller-General of Corrections, Sylvester Nwakuche, announced the initiatives on Wednesday while flagging off the second-quarter nationwide distribution of essential drugs and medicaments to Commands and custodial centres.
A statement by the Service Public Relations Officer, Chief Superintendent of Corrections JN Osuji, said the programme forms part of the Service’s broader healthcare reform aimed at improving inmates’ wellbeing and supporting their rehabilitation.
Nwakuche said the initiative underscores the Service’s commitment to human custody and quality healthcare in line with the Nigerian Correctional Service Act, 2019.
He said special attention is being given to female inmates through improved menstrual hygiene management and other gender-specific healthcare interventions to protect their health and dignity.
The Controller-General also said that the Service is working towards enrolling inmates under the National Health Insurance Authority framework to ensure sustainable access to quality healthcare across custodial facilities.
According to him, while a number of state governments have already enrolled inmates in their respective health insurance schemes, discussions are at an advanced stage to extend coverage nationwide through the National Health Insurance Authority.
Nwakuche said the quarterly distribution of essential medicines is part of wider reforms to strengthen healthcare services, reduce the burden of disease, expand mental health support and enhance the rehabilitation and reformation of inmates.
Assistant Controller-General of Corrections in charge of Medical Services, Glory Essien, described the distribution of essential drugs as a significant milestone in the Service’s healthcare reform programme. She said the intervention would improve inmates’ health while helping to reduce the spread of communicable diseases in custodial centres, urging medical personnel to ensure the medicines are used responsibly and strictly for approved medical purposes.
Also speaking, the Assistant Controller-General of Corrections in charge of Pharmacy, Muhammed Bashir, said the Service has established a monitoring and reporting system to ensure the medicines are used solely for inmate healthcare. He said the mechanism would strengthen accountability and transparency in the management of pharmaceutical supplies across Commands.
Nwakuche commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the Minister of Interior, Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, for supporting ongoing correctional reforms, pledging that the Service would continue to implement initiatives that improve inmates’ health, protect their dignity and advance rehabilitation and successful reintegration into society.
