Kwara State has witnessed a major humanitarian intervention as inmates of the Oke Kura Correctional Centre benefited from a comprehensive medical outreach aimed at improving access to basic healthcare.
The outreach, themed “Basic Healthcare is a Human Right, Not a Privilege: Justice for All–Access to Health for Inmates,” was organised by the International Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA), Kwara State Chapter, in collaboration with the Planned Parenthood Federation of Nigeria (PPFN) and the Save the Future of Children Initiative (SAFIN).
The initiative comes against the backdrop of Nigeria’s overstretched correctional system, where over 70,000 inmates are housed nationwide, many without access to functional health facilities, adequate medical equipment, or qualified health personnel.
At the Oke Kura Correctional Centre, the situation is particularly dire.
The facility, originally built for a much smaller population, currently houses over 500 inmates, about five times its intended capacity, worsening health, sanitation, and welfare challenges.
Speaking at the event, the Chairperson of FIDA, Kwara State, Barrister Funke Balogun, expressed deep concern over the living conditions of inmates and their limited access to healthcare.
She said the outreach was informed by medical needs observed during FIDA’s earlier visit to the facility and stressed the need for stronger collaboration between government and civil society organisations.
Barrister Balogun reminded stakeholders that incarceration does not strip inmates of their fundamental human rights, including the right to life, dignity, health, fair treatment, and communication, as guaranteed under international law and the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, as amended.
Also speaking, the Chief Executive Officer of SAFIN, Mr. Oyedeji Olufemi, described access to healthcare as a universal human right, noting that inmates deserve humane and dignified treatment. He commended FIDA for leading the intervention and reaffirmed SAFIN’s commitment to protecting vulnerable populations.
In his remarks, the Chairperson of PPFN in Kwara State, Nurse Issa Tunde Ahmed, applauded FIDA’s sustained advocacy for vulnerable groups, particularly inmates within correctional facilities.
An official of the correctional centre, who delivered a goodwill message, expressed appreciation to the organising consortium, describing the outreach as timely and critical to addressing inmates’ health needs.
As part of the exercise, male and female inmates were screened for HIV/AIDS and Hepatitis, with counselling and referrals provided where necessary.
The medical team also identified a high prevalence of scabies among inmates, attributing its spread to overcrowding and recommending urgent, comprehensive treatment to prevent further transmission.
Beyond medical screening, inmates were sensitised on personal and environmental hygiene as a key preventive measure against communicable diseases.
FIDA also assured inmates without legal representation of support in accessing legal aid, while SAFIN encouraged them to remain hopeful and embrace positive change.
The outreach ended with the donation of sanitary materials and essential drugs to the facility.
Organisers say the intervention highlights the urgent need for improved healthcare delivery, decongestion of correctional centres, and sustained government and humanitarian support to protect the health and dignity of inmates across Nigeria.
