The Inspector General of Police, Dr Kayode Egbetokun, has urged his officers superintending over divisions, departments and commands in the Nigeria Police Force to always establish marks of their tenures by initiating and completing humanitarian projects that will impact personnel, host communities and residents.
He spoke in Calabar, the Cross River State capital, when he formally commissioned the IGP Kayode A. Egbetokun Clinic Mopol 11 Calabar, initiated by former Commanding Officer of 11 PMF, DCP Dankwano Wilson, now retired.
The IG, represented by the Assistant Inspector General of Police for Zone six, Auwal Musa Mohammed, said the hallmark of his tenure is all about humanitarian activities and welfare of the officers and men of the police force.
He expressed gratitude to the state government who have declared interest in further supporting the clinic with technical assistance and upgrading of the health facility.
While stating that his tenure will continue to emphasize welfare, he assured that modification of facilities and infrastructure in police barracks and offices will be enhanced, he commended officials who initiated projects to further bolster the image of the force.
“I must commend commanders and other officials who initiate welfare projects while in office. I encourage more officials to think about humanitarian projects so that they can leave behind good legacies.
“I particularly thank Gov Bassey Otu for assuring that they will support this facility with technical inputs and replicate this health facility in other places. Their support will further enable not only the police personnel but the public to access health services.”
Governor Otu, represented by the Commissioner for Health, Dr Henry Egbe Ayuk, commended the police for the initiative and said the government will replicate it.
He expressed happiness that the police force will bear fifty per cent of the cost of medical treatments while the patients bear fifty per cent.
He assured that the government will help to modify the facility for general accessibility of the public, noting that health officers from the state health sector will regularly visit the facility.
“Government will support and integrate basic health-care services and other technical supports. The government will upgrade the children male, female, wards as well as the laboratory”, he assured.
Assistant CP Boniface Miyakilo who succeeded Wilson Dankwano as commanding officer of PMF 11, said medical cost of patients will be borne by the police force and beneficiaries at fifty per cent a piece.
He said, “The clinic is the brain child of my predecessor. The conceptualisation was borne out of the need to bring medical services to the personnel of MOPOL 11, their families and it’s environs.”
Findings showed that the clinic, equipped with resources and trained police personnel, has already attended to people with various ailments and have supervised the delivery of 10 babies.