FG to Review Healthcare Policy for Civil Servants Amid Rising Drug Costs

The Federal Government has announced plans to review its healthcare policy for civil servants, citing rising drug prices and ongoing challenges in healthcare delivery.

This was disclosed during a free medical screening exercise held in Abuja as part of activities marking the 2025 Civil Service Week. Speaking at the event, the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Mrs. Didi Walson-Jack—represented by the Permanent Secretary of the Service Welfare Office, Mrs. Patience Oyekunle—stressed the need to prioritise the health of public servants given the increasing demands of their roles.

“Health is wealth. Anyone with good health will spend less on hospital visits and contribute more effectively to their job,” Oyekunle said, noting that the smooth conduct of the screening and timely delivery of results reflected the effectiveness of the initiative.

Acknowledging the difficulties civil servants face under the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA) scheme—particularly in accessing medications and quality care—Walson-Jack said the existing healthcare policy is outdated and no longer meets present-day realities.

“We need to revisit the existing healthcare policy framework. The current one does not reflect today’s challenges, especially with soaring drug costs,” she stated.

Civil servants who participated in the screening praised the initiative. Azeez Champion described the exercise as well-organised despite the large turnout, urging his colleagues to take advantage of such programs regularly. “We’ve lost many colleagues due to health issues that could have been detected early. Health is truly wealth,” he remarked.

Another participant, Eneh Benedict, revealed that the screening helped her discover she had high blood pressure. “I’m glad I came. I’ve already started treatment and I feel better,” she said, urging for the continuity of the program.

Dr. Longbap Dinfa, Assistant Director at the Wellness Centre in the Office of the Head of Civil Service, noted that the exercise covered tests for hepatitis B and C, malaria, typhoid, diabetes, and blood pressure, among others.

“We identified several undiagnosed conditions, including peptic ulcers and hepatitis. One woman who collapsed was treated on-site and is now stable,” he reported. He also confirmed that more serious cases were referred to the National Hospital for specialist care.

Dr. Dinfa encouraged civil servants to embrace routine medical checks as a vital part of their lifestyle, warning that early detection is often key to managing health challenges.