Wike flags off free health insurance for inmates in FCT

Nyesom Wike, minister of the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA), has flagged off free health insurance enrolment and medical outreach for inmates across correctional facilities in the FCT.

The exercise commenced at the Medium Security Custodial Centre, Kuje, Abuja,  where inmates were formally enrolled into the FCT Health Insurance Scheme (FHIS) under the Basic Healthcare Provision Fund (BHCPF). Over 1,500 inmates expected to benefit.

Wike stressed that incarceration must not deny individuals access to quality healthcare and other basic rights.

At the flag-off, Adedolapo Fasawe, Mandate Secretary, Health Services and Environment Secretariat,  led the rollout of both the medical outreach and enrolment exercise at Kuje.

She noted that the programme is anchored on the principle of Universal Health Coverage, ensuring that no one is left behind, regardless of social or legal status.

According to her, inmates enrolled under FHIS will have access to consultations, laboratory and radiology services, emergency care, surgeries, and essential medications at no cost.

The exercise also included National Identification Number (NIN) capture to support proper identification and seamless enrolment into the health insurance database.

Fasawe further assured that the clinic within the correctional centre would receive sustained support, including a steady supply of drugs and medical consumables, noting that essential medications would no longer be unavailable.

She also stated that steps were underway to strengthen and accredit the facility’s medical centre for improved service delivery.

She commended Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, Minister of Interior, for prioritising healthcare within correctional institutions, expressing satisfaction with the available medical infrastructure and calling for its proper utilisation and maintenance. The cleanliness and orderliness of the facility were also noted by the Mandate Secretary.

As part of the outreach, inmates benefited from a wide range of services, including blood pressure checks, blood glucose screening, malaria testing and treatment, eye examinations, medical consultations, and dispensing of prescribed medications.

In total, over 550 inmates were screened for hypertension, diabetes, and malaria; about 380 prescriptions were dispensed; over 230 inmates received eye screenings, with more than 130 provided with corrective glasses; while over 250 National Identification Number captures and health insurance enrolments were completed across participating facilities.

Additional support items, including medications, consumables, cooking gas for junior staff, and medical supplies, were donated to ensure continuity of care, with plans already underway for sustained drug supply and improved facility accreditation.

Rasheed Ogundare, Deputy Comptroller of the Kuje Correctional Centre, described the intervention as unprecedented, noting that it was the first comprehensive government-led healthcare support extended to inmates in the facility. He expressed appreciation to the FCTA and called for similar interventions in other institutions.