Inspector-General of Police (IGP) Olukayode Adeolu Egbetokun, PhD, NPM, on Wednesday declared open the Conference of Heads of Police Healthcare Facilities Nationwide, with a call for a transformative shift in the Nigeria Police Force’s medical architecture to meet the evolving demands of modern policing.
Speaking at the event held in Abuja, the IGP said that effective policing in the 21st century requires more than tactical skills or command presence, but must prioritise the physical, emotional and psychological wellbeing of officers. He described the conference as a commitment to building a system where personnel are medically protected, supported and empowered to perform optimally.
Tracing the history of Police Medical Services, Egbetokun recalled that the unit was established in August 1975 at Alagbon, Lagos, with the aim of providing structured medical support for police personnel. He noted that over the decades, the unit has expanded nationwide, with 64 healthcare facilities now providing services to officers, their families and persons in lawful custody.
The IGP highlighted the milestone achieved in August 2025 when the Force Medical Services was upgraded to a full Directorate—50 years after its establishment. He said the elevation was a strategic move recognising the critical role of healthcare in boosting officer morale, operational readiness and institutional effectiveness.
Egbetokun emphasised the need for the new Directorate to shift from supportive to preventive healthcare, integrate digital health technologies, strengthen mental health services, improve trauma response systems, and build a coordinated, standardised nationwide medical network.
He also commended the Police Hospitals in Falomo, Lagos, and Akure, Ondo State, describing them as flagship tertiary-level facilities that now deliver advanced medical care while serving as training centres for intern nurses and house officers contributing to national healthcare manpower.
The IGP urged participants to approach the conference as system-builders, addressing present gaps and planning for future needs, including professional accreditation and sustainable staffing pipelines. He praised the contributions of Police medical personnel, noting that their largely unseen work is foundational to national security and operational capability.
Declaring the conference open, Egbetokun charged the heads of police healthcare facilities to produce clear strategies, aligned priorities and measurable outcomes. He said the decisions from the meeting must translate into practical reforms that strengthen the health architecture of the Force for generations to come.
