The Federal Government, through the Office of the Head of Civil Service of the Federation, said there is a need to re-strategise access to healthcare for civil servants in the country.
During a free medical check-up organised for government workers in Abuja as part of the 2025 Civil Service Week, the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Mrs. Didi Walson-Jack, noted that changes to the existing healthcare structure are necessary to improve service delivery and accessibility for civil servants.
Mrs. Walson-Jack, represented at the event by the Permanent Secretary of the Service Welfare Office, Mrs. Patience Oyekunle, said that the current healthcare policy no longer meets the growing needs of workers. She noted, “Anyone with good health will spend less money on hospital visits and will be more productive.”
The medical outreach, which offered free health screenings and medication, drew a large number of civil servants who took advantage of the opportunity to know more about their health status.
Oyekunle said the program was well-coordinated and that many participants received their test results and treatment quickly.
She also pointed out that many civil servants are struggling to get the right drugs and medical attention under the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA) scheme.
According to her, “These are policy issues. We need to go back to the drawing board and come up with a revised policy framework. What we currently have is outdated, especially considering rising drug prices.”
A civil servant, Mr. Azeez Champion, praised the organisers and urged his colleagues to join the initiative. “I urge those still in their offices to take advantage of this opportunity. Health is wealth. We have lost many staff members due to irregular check-ups,” he said.
Another worker, Ms. Eneh Benedict, said she came to collect her results after being tested earlier. “I discovered that my blood pressure was high and did not know until now. I have been given medication, and it has already started improving.”
She thanked the Head of Service for supporting the medical programme and asked for it to continue in the future.
Dr. Longbap Dinfa, Assistant Director at the Wellness Centre of the Office of the Head of Civil Service, said the outreach was not only for staff in their department but for all civil servants. He said the tests included checks for hepatitis B and C, typhoid, malaria, blood pressure, and diabetes.
“We discovered several cases of undiagnosed hepatitis, peptic ulcer, and malaria-typhoid during the check-up. On Sunday, a woman who collapsed was promptly treated and is now stable,” Dinfa explained.
