The Federal Government has announced plans to review and modernise healthcare policies for civil servants, in response to growing challenges surrounding drug access and outdated treatment frameworks under the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA).
Speaking at a free medical screening event in Abuja, part of activities marking the 2025 Civil Service Week, the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Dr. Didi Walson-Jack, stressed the need for a more robust and inclusive healthcare system that reflects the evolving medical needs of government workers.
Represented by the Permanent Secretary of the Service Welfare Office, Mrs. Patience Oyekunle, Walson-Jack described health as the foundation of productivity.
“Anyone with good health will spend less on hospital visits and be more productive. Periodic health screenings are essential, considering the nature of civil service work,” she noted.
Oyekunle also acknowledged systemic gaps in drug access and service quality under the NHIA, noting that a policy overhaul was long overdue.
“What we currently have is outdated, especially with the rising cost of medication. There’s a pressing need to go back to the drawing board and design a new framework that meets today’s healthcare demands,” she stated.
Civil Servants Welcome Initiative
The medical outreach saw a large turnout of civil servants, with many lauding the seamless coordination and timely access to test results and medications.
One participant, Azeez Champion, encouraged others to take advantage of the program, stressing that early diagnosis could save lives.
“We’ve lost many colleagues due to lack of regular check-ups. I urge everyone to come out — health is wealth,” he said.
Another attendee, Eneh Benedict, discovered she had high blood pressure during the check-up and expressed gratitude for the prompt treatment.
“I didn’t know until now. I’ve started medication and I already feel better,” she said, calling for the programme to be sustained.
Wellness Centre Confirms Alarming Discoveries
Dr. Longbap Dinfa, Assistant Director at the Wellness Centre in the Office of the Head of Service, disclosed that tests were conducted for various ailments including hepatitis B and C, typhoid, malaria, hypertension, and diabetes.
“We’ve detected several undiagnosed cases of hepatitis, peptic ulcers, and malaria-typhoid combinations. On Sunday, a woman who collapsed was stabilized here,” Dinfa revealed.
He added that complicated cases were promptly referred to the National Hospital for specialist care and urged civil servants to make routine checkups a personal priority.
The proposed policy review is expected to strengthen Nigeria’s public health infrastructure and support the welfare of the nation’s public workforce.
