ABUJA: The Inspector General of Police IGP, Dr Kayode Egbetokun, has elevated the Police Medical Section to a full-fledged Directorate of Medical Services as part of ongoing reforms in the Nigeria Police Force.
According to a statement issued Wednesday and signed by the Force Public Relations Officer, DCP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, the upgrade is aimed at strengthening the health and welfare system of officers and men of the Force while improving operational efficiency.
The IGP described the initiative as a “historic elevation” that underscores the importance of accessible healthcare delivery in policing.
He noted that the Directorate will be strategically structured to meet contemporary challenges, institutionalize medical services within the Police Force, and guarantee better coordination of preventive and emergency healthcare for both serving and retired personnel, as well as host communities across the country.
The new Directorate of Medical Services will be headed by a Force Chief Medical Director who will supervise other directors and professionals within the unit. This structure, the statement explained, is expected to enhance specialized oversight, resource allocation and the modernization of healthcare services across police formations nationwide.
Egbetokun stressed that the reform was not just a welfare initiative but also a strategic investment in national security.
“By safeguarding the health of officers and their families, the Nigeria Police Force enhances its collective capacity to discharge its constitutional mandate of protecting lives and property,” the statement quoted him as saying.
The IGP further reaffirmed the commitment of the Nigeria Police Force to implementing broad-based reforms designed to improve professionalism, boost morale and ensure a sustainable welfare system for personnel.
