Abuja: The Controller General (CG) of the Nigeria Correctional Service (NCoS), Mr. Sylvester Nwakuche, has urged the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA) to extend its health insurance coverage to include inmates nationwide. This appeal was made during a courtesy visit to the NHIA’s Director-General, Dr. Kelechi Ohiri, in Abuja.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, Nwakuche emphasized the need to address ongoing healthcare challenges faced by inmates, which often result in avoidable fatalities due to delayed medical treatment. He highlighted that inmates, as citizens of Nigeria, deserve access to quality healthcare services and should be included in national social protection programs.
During the visit, Nwakuche marked his first year in office, having been appointed by President Bola Tinubu in December 2024 and later confirmed by the Senate as the substantive Controller-General. He noted that the name change to Controller-General signifies a commitment to genuine correction, rehabilitation, and welfare for inmates and staff alike.
Nwakuche revealed that there are currently around 81,000 inmates across over 250 custodial facilities in Nigeria, including vulnerable groups such as women, persons with disabilities, and babies born within these centers. He stressed that healthcare access is a significant challenge, with hospitals often requiring upfront payments, leading to treatment delays and fatalities.
The CG’s visit aimed to formally request that inmates be included under NHIA’s operational framework, whether as part of vulnerable groups or through any suitable insurance package, to ensure seamless healthcare access via Health Maintenance Organisations (HMOs). Nwakuche appealed to NHIA’s management to explore technical solutions for integrating inmates into its programs.
Efforts to integrate inmates into other national systems are also underway. The Director-General of the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) has agreed to begin capturing inmates under the National Identification Number (NIN) scheme. Additionally, discussions have been held with the former Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to allow inmates to exercise their right to vote.
Nwakuche plans to engage the Chairman of the National Population Commission (NPC) to extend national data capture into custodial facilities, emphasizing that correctional centers are part of the national agenda despite being a different world.
In response, NHIA’s DG, Dr. Kelechi Ohiri, committed to collaborating with NCoS to ensure inmates are covered under the national health insurance framework. Ohiri explained that the NHIA, established in 2022, aims to promote and regulate health insurance schemes nationwide, extending its mandate beyond service provision.
Ohiri acknowledged inmates as a vulnerable population and assured that NHIA would work with NCoS to develop a framework for their inclusion in the health insurance system. Joint teams from both organizations will begin collaboration immediately, with implementation planned for early next year.