By Nkechi Eze
The Inspector-General of Police, IGP Olatunji Rilwan Disu, has assumed leadership of the Board of Police Health Maintenance Limited (PHML), in a move aimed at strengthening medical welfare and healthcare delivery for personnel of the Nigeria Police Force.
According to an official signed statement by the Force Public Relations Officer, DCP Anthony Placid, the IGP was formally inaugurated as Chairman of the PHML Board during a strategic meeting at the Force Headquarters, Abuja, marking a new phase of direct oversight in police healthcare administration.
The PHML delegation was led by DIG Aminu Yesufu (Rtd), and comprised senior board members including AIG Adenike Abuwa, Dr. Otive Iguzor, Dr. Yusuf Kalli Gazali, Chief Executive Officer/Managing Director, and AIG Nkechi Eze.
During the engagement, PHML leadership highlighted ongoing interventions to improve healthcare access for officers, including the renovation of police hospitals in Akure, Sokoto, Bambam, Yola, and Lagos. The organisation also disclosed agreements with federal tertiary hospitals to guarantee immediate and cost-free treatment for officers with gunshot wounds and trauma-related injuries sustained in the line of duty.
Additionally, a specialised partnership with Zenith Healthcare Limited has been secured to provide advanced renal care services, targeting chronic medical conditions among personnel.
In his remarks, IGP Disu stressed that the health of officers remains a critical pillar of national security, charging PHML leadership to prioritise the real welfare needs of rank-and-file personnel. He called for a shift from routine administrative performance to tangible healthcare outcomes that directly impact officers on the front lines.
The IGP also drew attention to systemic challenges, including inadequate healthcare coverage for retired personnel and the deteriorating condition of medical facilities within police barracks, urging urgent and sustained reforms to address these gaps.
The meeting underscores a renewed commitment by the police leadership to institutionalise efficient healthcare systems, with IGP Disu reaffirming that a physically and mentally fit workforce is essential to effective policing and national stability.
