NCoS Expands Healthcare Reforms, Distributes Essential Drugs to Custodial Centres Nationwide
The Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS) has commenced the second phase of its 2026 nationwide distribution of essential drugs and medicaments to Commands and custodial facilities, reaffirming its commitment to improving inmate healthcare, mental wellbeing, and overall welfare.
Speaking at the flag-off ceremony on Wednesday, the Controller-General of Corrections (CGC), Sylvester Ndidi Nwakuche, MFR, mni, said the initiative reflects the Service’s determination to provide humane custody and quality healthcare in line with the provisions of the Nigerian Correctional Service Act, 2019.
CGC Nwakuche disclosed that his administration has prioritised the healthcare needs of inmates, with special attention to female inmates, mental health services for vulnerable inmates, and the enrolment of inmates into the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS).
He described female inmates as one of the most vulnerable groups within custodial facilities, stressing that the Service has taken deliberate steps to address their unique healthcare needs, including menstrual hygiene management and other gender-specific sanitary requirements, to preserve their dignity and wellbeing.
The Controller-General also revealed that the Service is intensifying efforts to secure nationwide enrolment of inmates into the National Health Insurance Scheme to ensure sustainable access to quality healthcare across correctional facilities.
According to him, several state governments have already enrolled inmates into their respective state health insurance schemes, while discussions are at an advanced stage to achieve nationwide coverage under the National Health Insurance Authority framework.
Nwakuche explained that the quarterly distribution of essential medicines forms part of the Service’s broader healthcare reform agenda aimed at strengthening medical services, reducing the burden of diseases, improving mental health support, and enhancing the rehabilitation and reformation of inmates.
Also speaking, the Assistant Controller-General of Corrections in charge of Medical Services, Glory Essien, described the nationwide distribution of essential drugs as a major milestone in the Service’s healthcare reform programme.
She noted that the intervention would significantly improve inmates’ health and wellbeing while reducing the incidence of epidemics and communicable diseases across custodial centres. Essien urged caregivers and medical personnel in all Commands to ensure the judicious and accountable use of the drugs strictly for their intended medical purposes in line with professional and ethical standards.
On accountability, the Assistant Controller-General of Corrections in charge of Pharmacy, Muhammed Bashir, disclosed that the Service has institutionalised a robust monitoring and reporting mechanism to ensure that all medications distributed to Commands are utilised exclusively for inmate healthcare.
He said the accountability framework provides effective oversight of drug utilisation, promotes transparency in the management of pharmaceutical supplies, and guarantees that the medicines reach their intended beneficiaries across custodial centres nationwide.
The Controller-General expressed appreciation to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his continued support for correctional reforms and commended the Minister of Interior, Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, for his strategic interventions and commitment to strengthening healthcare delivery and improving inmate welfare.
Nwakuche reaffirmed the Nigerian Correctional Service’s commitment to sustaining reforms that protect the health, dignity, mental wellbeing, and welfare of inmates while advancing its core mandates of safe custody, rehabilitation, reformation, and successful reintegration into society.
