Ogun Moves To Partner Correctional Service On Inmates Health Status

In its bid to ensure that provision of qualitative and affordable healthcare cut across all quarters of the State, the Ogun State Government has said that plans are underway to collaborate with the Nigerian Correctional Service ( NCS) on the provision of medical services for inmates in correctional facilities across the State.

The Commissioner for Health, Dr. Tomi Coker, made this known during a courtesy visit of the leadership of Nigeria Correctional Services, Ogun State Command in her office in Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta.

The Commissioner said that government facilitated Covid-19 testing, treatment and counseling for inmates across the three Senatorial Districts, saying correctional facilities were identified as part of places where a surge in Coronavirus cases could occur.

She said the Prince Dapo Abiodun-led administration had put in place structures for affordable and qualitative healthcare for all residents of the State, adding that inmates in all correctional facilities would also benefit from government’s policy thrusts on health since they are categorised as being vulnerable.

“Majority of the inmates correctional facilities in the State are our citizens. We have to ensure that while they serve their terms, the issue of health is also well attended to.

“The big picture is for us to have standard and well-equipped Primary Health Center across the Local Government Areas which would cater for people at their localities. Many of these are in close proximity to correctional facilities, ” Coker said.

The Commissioner assured that the State government would ensure that HIV tests and treatment will continue to be free for all inmates, reiterating the commitment of the government to collaborating with the NCS on Health Days.

Speaking earlier, the Comptroller of Corrections, NCS, Ogun State Command, Mojeed Olaniran, lauded the present administration for the creative approaches it adopted in containing the Covid-19 pandemic in the state, noting that the efficient management of the health sector in Ogun is second to none.

Similarly ,the State Government has also stated that the monthly environmental sanitation excerise for the month of October will hold on Saturday 31st of October 2020 from 7am to 10am, in continuation to promoting a clean, safe and healthy Environment the Ogun

According to a statement signed by the Honourable Commissioner , Ministry of Environment ,Hon Abiodun Abudu-Balogun , there will be no restriction of movement in all the Twenty (20) Local Government areas of the state due to the prevailing situation in the counry.

Residents are enjoined to use the opportunity of this excerise, to clear their drainage channels ,clean their premises/surrounding while maintaining social distancing and drop the wastes at designated points for government accredited waste collectors to collect as anyone found dumping waste in inappropriate places will such as gutters canals and water – course will be prosecuted in accordance with the States Environmental Laws.

The State Government under the leadership of Prince Dapo Abiodun MFR uses this opportunity to thank the general public for their continus support and enjoin us to keep a clean,safe and healthy Environment in a secured Ogun State.

By Grace Tunji