The Rivers State Police Command has launched a two-week health assessment programme for its personnel, declaring that the effectiveness of the Nigeria Police Force depends largely on the health and wellbeing of its officers.

The initiative, tagged “Know Your Numbers” Campaign, was flagged off at the State Police Headquarters in Port Harcourt in collaboration with HealthLink & Bridge Initiative and Police Health Maintenance Limited (Police HMO).

The outreach offers free screening for hypertension, diabetes, cholesterol levels, body mass index (BMI), vitamin D deficiency, urinalysis, ECG and other routine medical checks, alongside health insurance enrolment for officers and their families.

Representing the Commissioner of Police, Olugbenga Adepoju, at the launch, the Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of Operations, Alhassan Kawu, said the command was prioritising the welfare of officers who risk their lives daily to protect residents of the state.

“The Commissioner recognises that the strength of the Nigeria Police Force lies in the health and wellbeing of its officers, men and their families,” he said, adding that the free medical consultations, treatment and health education were designed to keep personnel physically fit for the demanding task of safeguarding lives and property.

Kawu described the exercise as the command’s way of appreciating the sacrifices of officers and their families, while urging all personnel to take advantage of the programme.

Assistant Commissioner of Police in charge of Medical Services, Hunanya Chukwudi Nnaedozie, said the campaign aligns with the welfare agenda of the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, which places emphasis on preventive healthcare for officers.

According to him, the campaign encourages officers to know critical health indicators, including blood pressure, blood sugar, cholesterol levels and body mass index, stressing that many police personnel unknowingly live with life-threatening conditions such as hypertension and diabetes.

He explained that although the programme commenced at the command headquarters, it would be extended to area commands and other police formations across Rivers State over the next two weeks to ensure wider participation.

Nnaedozie said the partnership with HealthLink & Bridge Initiative would also enable the command to gather health data that could guide future healthcare planning and interventions for police personnel.

Speaking at the event, the Managing Director of Police HMO, Dr. Yusuf Khalid Ghazali, represented by the South-South Zonal Coordinator, Mrs. Edith Peters, urged officers who were yet to enrol in the Police Health Insurance Scheme to do so.

She noted that officers often work under difficult and hazardous conditions, leaving little time to monitor their own health, despite the growing threat posed by silent illnesses such as hypertension and diabetes.

According to her, the insurance scheme is designed to reduce out-of-pocket medical expenses while guaranteeing access to quality healthcare for officers and their families.

Also speaking, the representative of the Chief Executive Officer of HealthLink & Bridge Initiative, Dr. Cyril Koro, said the organisation was introducing telemedicine technology to improve healthcare delivery for police personnel, particularly those deployed in remote operational locations.

He explained that portable diagnostic devices would allow officers to undergo medical examinations in the field, with their vital signs transmitted in real time to medical specialists who can provide remote consultations and treatment recommendations.

The organisers expressed optimism that the campaign would encourage regular health checks among police personnel, promote early detection of non-communicable diseases and improve the overall fitness of officers for effective policing.