IGP flags off inclusion of retired policemen into NHIS

The Inspector General of Police, IGP Mohammed Adamu, has flagged off
the inclusion of retired policemen into the National Health Insurance
Scheme (NHIS) as part of welfare for officers and men of the Force.

Performing the exercise at the Force Headquarters in Abuja on Monday,
Adamu expressed appreciation to President Muhammadu Buhari, for
extending the scheme to retired police officers.

He said the development will help address the age-long quest for
affordable healthcare services for police retirees and urged them to
take optimum advantage of the scheme.

Adamu, who said he felt an emotional and professional fulfillment,
said his experience in the police over the years had convinced him
that the welfare of police officers particularly after retirement has
been a constant source of anxiety which impacts on their optimal
service delivery while in service.

He said it was more worrisome when viewed from the perspective that
police personnel dedicate the most active part of their lives in
service to the country, at times under very strenuous and
health-impacting conditions, while some retire with disabilities
caused by occupational hazards.

He said it was unfortunate that they inherited a system whereby all
police personnel across all ranks were delisted from the Scheme as
they exit public service thereby leaving them with the burden of
singlehandedly addressing their medical and welfare challenges.

Adamu, said those in the service, feel the pain of their retired
colleagues and are touched and demotivated.

He said upon assumption of office, he had prioritized the welfare of
retired officers and made a presentation to the president that all
retired personnel be retained in the scheme as a means of appreciating
them for their meritorious service and ameliorating their post
retirement welfare and health challenges.

The IGP had earlier directed the nationwide registration and capturing
of all retired police officers with effect from 7th September to 23rd
September, 2020.

With this development, all retired police officers, irrespective of
their rank on retirement, along with a spouse, will have full access
to all NHIS services and benefits covered by the Police Health
Maintenance Organization (Police-HMO) Code-073.

The exercise, which shall be in three batches, will take place at the
various Police Area Commands in the country.

All retired police officers are therefore required to visit any Police
Area Command closest to them with the following basic requirements
which includes a National Identity Number (compulsory), letter of
retirement and retiree’s identity card.

Executive Secretary NHIS, Prof Mohammed Sambo the said the development
was of the line with the next level agenda of attaining health
insurance scheme for all by 2030 as approved by the sustainable
developments goals.

He said health insurance was susceptible to a lot of abuse, but
expressed confidence that the level of discipline of the police would
not allow such kind of abuse in the system.

“We want to ensure we leave a credible mark so that the generation yet
to come would also come and benefit from this exercise. At this point
I want to congratulate the police and IGP for flagging of this
exercise. I am sure it will be a legacy that will be perpetual in the
minds of the police and the nation to get this group of people to be
enrolled in this scheme,” he said.