By Adesakin Adefemi
The Inspector-General of Police, IGP Kayode Egbetokun, has met with all the Heads of Police Medical Facilities across the country to discuss ways to strengthen police medical services.
The meeting, held at the Goodluck Ebele Jonathan International Peacekeeping Hall, Force Headquarters, Abuja, brought together medical commanders, senior officers, partners, and critical stakeholders in the Nigeria Police healthcare system.
The inaugural National Meeting/Conference was themed “Transforming Policing in Nigeria: The Evolving Role of the Directorate of Force Medical Services.” In his address, IGP Egbetokun reaffirmed that the wellbeing of personnel remains the backbone of operational readiness and national security, and therefore occupies a central place in his policing vision.
The IGP emphasized that the historic upgrade of the Nigeria Police Medical Services to a full-fledged Directorate in August 2025 was a strategic milestone aimed at strengthening officer welfare, enhancing medical capacity, and guaranteeing standardized healthcare delivery across Commands and Formations.
IGP Egbetokun highlighted that the Nigeria Police Force today boasts one of the most extensive, geographically diverse, and functionally active law enforcement medical networks on the African continent.
The system comprises 164 hospitals, clinics, and medical posts serving officers, their families, and often members of surrounding communities.
The Force Medical Director, AIG Nkechi I. Eze, expressed profound gratitude to the IGP for his consistent support and visionary reforms. She provided an overview of the Directorate’s expanded mandate in preventive medicine, trauma and emergency care, medical training, and national health response.
AIG Eze expressed confidence that the continued commitment of the IGP and development partners will accelerate the modernization of Police healthcare services. She noted that the Directorate is poised to take on new challenges and opportunities in the healthcare sector.
A major highlight of the meeting was the formal flag-off of the “Know Your Numbers” Campaign, a nationwide preventive health initiative approved by the IGP. The campaign urges officers to routinely monitor vital health indicators, such as blood pressure, blood sugar, pulse rate, and hepatitis/HIV status, to reduce avoidable morbidity and promote longevity within the Force.
The Inspector-General of Police reaffirmed his tireless resolve to entrenching a resilient, responsive, and professionally competent policing system, where officer welfare, especially health, remains a core pillar of institutional strength.
The meeting concluded with a call to action, urging all stakeholders to work together to improve police medical services and promote the health and wellbeing of police officers across the country.
