The Nigerian Government has announced plans to review its healthcare policy for civil servants.
It stated that a more responsive and up-to-date framework is necessary, given the rising cost of drugs and persistent gaps in the delivery of healthcare services.
This disclosure was made during a free medical screening exercise for civil servants in Abuja, held as part of activities marking the 2025 Civil Service Week.
The Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Mrs Didi Walson-Jack, underscored the importance of prioritising the health of workers, particularly in light of the demands placed upon them.
Represented by the Permanent Secretary of the Service Welfare Office, Mrs Patience Oyekunle, Walson-Jack emphasised that sound health not only reduces medical expenses but also enhances productivity.
“Health is wealth. Anyone with good health will spend less on hospital visits and contribute more effectively to their job,” Oyekunle noted, expressing satisfaction with the smooth conduct of the screening exercise, including the prompt delivery of test results and administration of medication.
Acknowledging the challenges faced by some workers under the National Health Insurance Authority, NHIA scheme—especially in accessing medicines and quality care—she called for urgent policy reforms.
“We need to revisit the existing healthcare policy framework. The current one is outdated and does not reflect today’s realities, especially with soaring drug costs,” she said.
Civil servants who took part in the exercise shared positive experiences. Azeez Champion described the process as well-organised, despite the high turnout, and urged colleagues to take advantage of such opportunities for regular health checks.
“We’ve lost many colleagues due to health issues that could have been detected early. Health is wealth,” he said.
Another beneficiary, Eneh Benedict, revealed that her test results had just confirmed high blood pressure—an ailment she had been unaware of.
“I’m glad I came. I’ve already started treatment and I feel better,” she said, praising the initiative and appealing for its continuation.
Dr Longbap Dinfa, Assistant Director at the Wellness Centre in the Office of the Head of Civil Service, explained that the initiative included a broad range of medical tests, covering hepatitis B and C, malaria, typhoid, diabetes, and blood pressure.
“We identified several undiagnosed conditions, including hepatitis, peptic ulcer, and malaria-typhoid infections. One woman who collapsed on Sunday was treated immediately and is now stable,” he revealed.
Dr Dinfa added that more serious cases had been referred to the National Hospital for specialist care, and he encouraged civil servants to incorporate routine health checks into their regular lifestyles.
