(Nyesom Wike. Photo Credit: Punch News)
The Federal Capital Territory Administration has launched a free health insurance enrolment and medical outreach programme for inmates in correctional facilities across the FCT, with over 1,500 inmates expected to benefit.
The programme kicked off at the Medium Security Custodial Centre in Kuje on Tuesday, marking the first formal enrolment of inmates into the FCT Health Insurance Scheme under the Basic Healthcare Provision Fund.
It is expected to be extended to correctional facilities in Gwagwalada and Suleja at a later date.
The initiative was introduced on the directive of FCT Minister Nyesom Wike as part of efforts to expand healthcare access under the Renewed Hope Agenda.
Speaking at the flag-off ceremony, the Mandate Secretary of the Health Services and Environment Secretariat, Dr Adedolapo Fasawe, said the programme aligns with the principle of Universal Health Coverage, stressing that every person deserves access to quality healthcare regardless of their social or legal standing.
Inmates enrolled under the scheme will have access to medical consultations, laboratory tests, radiology services, surgeries, emergency care and essential drugs at no cost. National Identification Number registration was also carried out to facilitate proper documentation and enrolment into the health insurance database.
Health education sessions covering hygiene, disease prevention and the importance of health insurance were also organised during the outreach.
During her visit, Fasawe interacted with inmates and purchased items they produced through vocational training, including sandals, bags, books and liquid soap.
She also donated cash to support fashion training programmes within the facility and assured inmates that the correctional centre’s clinic would receive regular drug supplies going forward.
She added that plans are underway to strengthen and accredit the medical centre within the facility to enable it deliver more effective services.
Medical services provided during the outreach included blood pressure checks, blood sugar screening, malaria testing, eye examinations and general consultations.
Over 550 inmates were screened for hypertension, diabetes and malaria, around 380 prescriptions were dispensed, and more than 230 inmates underwent eye screening with over 130 receiving corrective eyeglasses.
More than 250 NIN captures and health insurance enrolments were also recorded.
The Deputy Comptroller of the Kuje Correctional Centre, Rasheed Ogundare, described the initiative as unprecedented and called for similar programmes to be replicated in correctional centres across the country.
Inmates received the programme warmly, expressing gratitude through songs as they received medical attention and encouragement from officials.
