IGP Egbetokun reaffirms commitment to strengthening Police medical services

The Inspector General of Police (IGP), Dr. Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun, on Thursday reaffirmed that the wellbeing of personnel remains the backbone of operational readiness and national security, and a central pillar of his policing vision.

Dr. Egbetokun stated this in Abuja while addressing Heads of Police Medical Facilities across the country and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) at the inaugural National Meeting/Conference themed “Transforming Policing in Nigeria: The Evolving Role of the Directorate of Force Medical Services.”

The meeting brought together medical commanders, senior officers, partners, and key stakeholders in the Nigeria Police healthcare system.

The IGP noted that the historic upgrade of the Nigeria Police Medical Services to a full-fledged Directorate in August this year marked a major milestone aimed at strengthening officer welfare, enhancing medical capacity, and standardising healthcare delivery across Commands and Formations.

He stated that the Nigeria Police Force now “boasts one of the most extensive, geographically diverse, and functionally active law enforcement medical networks on the African continent,” comprising 164 hospitals, clinics, and medical posts serving officers, their families, and, in many cases, surrounding communities.

He added that this wide coverage is a key enabler of his administration’s commitment to building a modern and professionally competent Police Force.

In her presentation, the Force Medical Director, AIG Nkechi I., the first Assistant Inspector-General of Police to head the Directorate, expressed profound gratitude to the IGP for his consistent support and visionary reforms.

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She provided an overview of the Directorate’s expanded mandate in preventive medicine, trauma and emergency care, medical training, and national health response.

She expressed confidence that the continued commitment of the IGP and development partners would accelerate the modernization of Police healthcare services.

The major highlight of the meeting was the formal launch of the “Know Your Numbers” campaign, a nationwide preventive health initiative approved by the IGP.

The campaign encourages 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 unwavering commitment to building a resilient, responsive, and professionally competent policing system where officer welfare, particularly health remains a core pillar of institutional strength.

NIGERIAN TRIBUNE