The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) on Tuesday flagged off a landmark free health insurance enrolment and comprehensive medical outreach for inmates across correctional facilities in the FCT, with over 1,500 inmates expected to benefit from the programme.
The exercise, which commenced at the Medium security Custordial Centre, Kuje, Abuja, marks the first time inmates in the FCT are being formally enrolled into the FCT Health Insurance Scheme (FHIS) under the Basic Healthcare Provision Fund (BHCPF) with plans to extend the initiative to Gwagwalada and Suleja correctional facilities.
The initiative is driven by the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike who stressed that, incarceration must not deny individuals access to quality healthcare and other basic rights. He directed the Health Services and Environment Secretariat to implement the intervention as part of the Renewed Hope Agenda for inclusive healthcare.
At the flag-off, the Mandate Secretary, Health Services and Environment Secretariat, Dr. Adedolapo Fasawe, 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.
Health education sessions were conducted during the outreach, where inmates were sensitised on hygiene, disease prevention, and the importance of health insurance. They were also encouraged with assurances that they remain part of the society and are entitled to dignity, care, and hope for reintegration.
During the visit, Fasawe engaged directly with inmates and encouraged them by patronising their creative works. She purchased inmate-made crafts such as sandals, books, liquid soap, and bags and made cash donations in support of the fashion training class, reinforcing the importance of skills acquisition, productivity, and self-reliance within the facility.
She delivered a message of hope, renewal, and reintegration, urging inmates to view their current situation as a phase of transformation rather than a final definition of their lives, and to remain focused on becoming productive members of their families and society upon release.
Dr. 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 the Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, 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.
Again, Dr. Fasawe also commended the leadership and staff of the correctional centre, led by Comptroller Peter Jen and Deputy Comptroller Rasheed Ogundare, as well as the FHIS team led by Dr. Salamatu Belgore, for their cooperation and successful implementation of the programme.
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.
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 support extended to inmates in the facility. He expressed appreciation to the FCTA and called for similar interventions in other institutions.
Inmates expressed gratitude through songs, dance, and gestures of appreciation as they received medical attention, refreshments, and encouragement, reflecting Renewed Hope for rehabilitation and reintegration into society.
The FCTA reaffirmed its commitment to expanding equitable healthcare access to all vulnerable populations across the Federal Capital Territory.