The Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS) has commenced the second quarter nationwide distribution of essential drugs and medicaments to its Commands and custodial centres, reaffirming its commitment to improving inmates’ healthcare, mental wellbeing and overall welfare.
Speaking during the flag-off ceremony, the Controller-General of Corrections, Sylvester Ndidi Nwakuche, said the initiative reflects the Service’s determination to provide humane custody and quality healthcare in line with the provisions of the Nigerian Correctional Service Act, 2019.
Nwakuche disclosed that the Service is placing special emphasis on the healthcare needs of female inmates, describing them as one of the most vulnerable groups within custodial facilities. He said his administration has prioritised menstrual hygiene management and other gender-specific sanitary needs to preserve the dignity and wellbeing of female inmates.
The Controller-General also revealed that the Service is intensifying efforts to secure the enrolment of inmates into the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) to guarantee sustainable access to quality healthcare across custodial facilities nationwide.
According to him, while several state governments have already enrolled inmates into their respective state health insurance schemes, discussions are at an advanced stage to achieve nationwide coverage under the National Health Insurance Authority framework.
He explained that the quarterly distribution of essential medicines forms part of a broader healthcare reform programme designed to strengthen medical services, reduce disease burden, improve mental health support and promote the rehabilitation and reformation of inmates.
Also speaking, the Assistant Controller-General of Corrections in charge of Medical Services, Glory Essien, described the nationwide distribution of essential drugs as a major milestone in the Service’s healthcare reform agenda.
She said the intervention would significantly improve inmates’ health and wellbeing while reducing the incidence of epidemics and other communicable diseases in custodial centres. Essien urged caregivers and medical personnel across all Commands to ensure the judicious, accountable and ethical use of the medicaments strictly for their intended medical purposes.
On accountability, the Assistant Controller-General of Corrections in charge of Pharmacy, Muhammed Bashir, disclosed that the Service has established a robust monitoring and reporting mechanism to ensure that all medicines distributed to Commands are utilised solely for inmate healthcare.
He noted that the framework would strengthen oversight of pharmaceutical supplies, promote transparency in drug management and guarantee that the medications reach the intended beneficiaries across custodial facilities.
Nwakuche expressed appreciation to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his continued support for correctional reforms and commended the Minister of Interior, Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, for his strategic interventions and commitment to strengthening healthcare delivery and improving inmates’ welfare.
He reaffirmed the Nigerian Correctional Service’s resolve to sustain reforms that protect the health, dignity and mental wellbeing of inmates while advancing its core mandates of safe custody, rehabilitation, reformation and successful reintegration into society.
