188 inmates, personnel receive free medical services in Kogi

No fewer than 188 inmates and personnel officers of the Koton-Karfe Correctional Centre have received free medical services sponsored by the Kogi State Government as part of efforts to safeguard the health and wellbeing of persons in correctional facilities across the state.

The medical outreach, conducted by the Kogi State Ministry of Health, provided basic medical screening and other health services to not fewer than 188 inmates and personnel officers of the Correctional Service at the facility.

The mobile medical team, led by Dr Komolafe, deployed portable digital X-ray technology with artificial intelligence capability, particularly for the screening of tuberculosis and other chest-related conditions. The team also collected various body samples from beneficiaries for more advanced laboratory investigations.

The intervention was initiated by Governor Ododo as part of his administration’s commitment to ensuring that persons in correctional facilities have access to essential healthcare services and that their health needs are not overlooked.

The inmates and personnel of the Correctional Centre expressed appreciation to the Governor for extending the medical intervention to them, describing the gesture as a demonstration of compassion and concern for their wellbeing.

One of the inmates, visibly moved by the intervention, said: “I thought the world had forgotten me, but today Ododo has reminded me that I am not forgotten.”

The Commissioner for Health, Dr Adams Abdulazeez, said Governor Ododo had also expressed appreciation to the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, for the transformative reforms being undertaken in the nation’s correctional services and for supporting Kogi State through various interventions under the Renewed Hope Agenda.

According to the Commissioner, Governor Ododo reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to supporting the Federal Government’s efforts to improve the welfare, safety and dignity of persons in correctional facilities, while ensuring that the benefits of healthcare and other government interventions reach every segment of the population.

Dr Abdulazeez said the Governor further reaffirmed his support for the President and pledged continued commitment to the safety, health and overall wellbeing of the people of Kogi State.

The Commissioner expressed satisfaction with the outcome of the exercise, commending the Governor for the thoughtfulness behind the initiative and his concern for the health of inmates and correctional personnel.

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He also praised the management and personnel of the Correctional Centre, as well as the inmates, for their warm reception and cooperation with the medical team throughout the exercise.

Dr Abdulazeez disclosed that the Ministry of Health would sustain the intervention and extend similar medical services to other correctional facilities across the state.

He said the initiative was consistent with the administration’s broader commitment to strengthening access to healthcare and ensuring that no category of people is excluded from essential health services in Kogi State.