The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has offered a free health insurance enrolment and medical outreach programme for inmates in correctional centres across the Federal Capital Territory, with over 1,500 inmates expected to benefit from the initiative.
The programme, which commenced at the Medium Security Custodial Centre, Kuje, marks the first formal enrolment of inmates into the FCT Health Insurance Scheme under the Basic Healthcare Provision Fund.
Key Highlights:
- The Federal Capital Territory Administration launched a free health insurance and medical outreach programme for inmates in FCT correctional centres.
- Over 1,500 inmates are expected to benefit, starting with the Kuje Medium Security Custodial Centre.
- Inmates will receive free medical consultations, tests, surgeries, drugs, and emergency care.
- The programme also includes NIN registration, health education, and regular drug supplies to prison clinics.
- Officials described the initiative as the first major government-led healthcare intervention for inmates in the facility.
The FCTA said the initiative would later be extended to custodial facilities in Gwagwalada and Suleja.
The intervention was reportedly introduced on the directive of the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, as part of efforts to expand access to healthcare under the Tinubu administration.
Speaking during the flag-off ceremony in Kuje, the Mandate Secretary of the Health Services and Environment Secretariat, Adedolapo Fasawe, said the programme is designed to ensure inclusive healthcare access for all residents, including prison inmates.
According to her, inmates enrolled under the scheme would have access to medical consultations, laboratory investigations, radiology services, surgeries, emergency treatment and essential drugs free of charge.
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“Our mission at the FCT Health Insurance Scheme is grounded in the belief that everyone, regardless of their circumstances, deserves access to quality and affordable healthcare services,” Fasawe said.
“The implementation of free health insurance for inmates is a testament to our commitment to transforming lives and upholding health as a fundamental human right.”
As part of the exercise, inmates were also registered for the National Identification Numbers (NIN) to facilitate documentation and integration into the health insurance database.
Health education sessions focusing on hygiene, disease prevention and reintegration into society were also organised during the outreach.
Fasawe additionally pledged that correctional facility clinics would receive regular supplies of drugs and medical consumables.
“Never again would drugs be unavailable at the facility health centres,” she said.
She further disclosed plans to strengthen and accredit the medical centre within the Kuje facility to improve healthcare delivery for inmates and correctional staff.
The outreach included blood pressure checks, blood sugar screening, malaria testing and treatment, eye examinations and medical consultations.
According to officials, more than 550 inmates were screened for hypertension, diabetes and malaria, while about 380 prescriptions were dispensed.
Over 230 inmates underwent eye screening, with more than 130 receiving corrective eyeglasses.
Authorities also recorded over 250 NIN captures and health insurance enrolments during the exercise.
Additional items including medications, medical consumables and cooking gas for junior staff were donated to support continued healthcare services at the facility.
The Deputy Comptroller of the Kuje Correctional Centre, Rasheed Ogundare, described the intervention as unprecedented, noting that it was the first comprehensive government-led healthcare initiative targeted at inmates in the facility.
He appealed for similar interventions in correctional centres across the country.
Inmates reportedly welcomed the programme with songs and expressions of appreciation as they received medical attention and other support from officials.
