The Federal Government has announced plans to review and improve healthcare access for civil servants across Nigeria, citing the need for a more effective and up-to-date policy framework.
The Head of Civil Service of the Federation, Mrs. Didi Walson-Jack, made this declaration during a free medical checkup session for civil servants in Abuja, an event organized as part of the ongoing Civil Service Week celebrations. Represented by the Permanent Secretary of the Service Welfare Office, Patience Oyekunle, Walson-Jack emphasized the critical importance of regular health screenings for government employees, given the demanding nature of their duties.
“Anyone with good health will spend less money on hospital visits and will be more productive,” Oyekunle stated, highlighting the direct link between health and workplace efficiency.
Okay.ng reports that the free medical exercise was met with enthusiasm, with many civil servants lauding the prompt delivery of test results and the immediate administration of necessary medications.
However, Oyekunle acknowledged persistent challenges faced by civil servants in accessing essential drugs and adequate treatment under the current National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA) scheme. She stressed the urgency of policy reform: “These are policy issues. We need to go back to the drawing board and come up with a revised policy framework. What we currently have is outdated, especially considering rising drug prices.”
Civil servants who participated in the program expressed appreciation for the initiative. Azeez Champion, one of the beneficiaries, praised the seamless organization of the event despite the large turnout. “I urge those still in their offices to take advantage of this opportunity. Health is wealth. We have lost many staff members due to irregular check-ups,” he said.
Another participant, Eneh Benedict, shared her experience, revealing that the checkup helped her discover high blood pressure, an issue she was previously unaware of. “I have been given medication, and it has already started improving,” Benedict noted, expressing gratitude to the Head of Service for the initiative and calling for its continuity.
Dr. Longbap Dinfa, Assistant Director at the Wellness Centre, Office of the Head of Civil Service of the Federation, explained that the health program was open to all civil servants, not just those in the HCSF. He listed the range of tests conducted, including screenings for hepatitis B and C, typhoid, malaria, blood pressure, and diabetes.
“We discovered several cases of undiagnosed hepatitis, peptic ulcer, and malaria-typhoid during the check-up. On Sunday, a woman who collapsed was promptly treated and is now stable,” Dr. Dinfa reported. He added that more complex cases were referred to the National Hospital for specialized care and advised all civil servants to prioritize regular medical check-ups.
The government’s renewed commitment to healthcare reform for civil servants comes at a time of rising drug prices and growing concerns about the adequacy of the current health insurance scheme.
