… Expands Focus To Mental Health, Free Medications
Lagos State Government on Tuesday formally flagged off the 2026 Annual Medical Screening Programme for public servants tagged: "Public Servants, Know Your Numbers", with a strong call on workers to prioritise their health and embrace routine checks to boost productivity and longevity in service.
The flag-off ceremony, held at the Folarin Coker Staff Clinic, Secretariat, Alausa-Ikeja, was led by the Head of Service, Mr. Bode Agoro, who underscored the critical link between a healthy workforce and effective public service delivery.
Agoro, after declaring the exercise open, conducted an inspection tour of the facility, including a stop at the Lagos State Employee Wellness Centre (LASWELL), where he advocated increased attention to mental health and wellness among civil servants.
He commended Governor Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu for prioritising staff welfare, describing him as a “Talk and Do” leader committed to ensuring that workers remain healthy, happy and productive.
According to the Head of Service, “A healthy staff is a happy staff, and a happy staff is a productive staff,” stressing that maintaining Lagos State’s leading position in public service performance requires a workforce that is physically and mentally fit.
Agoro urged civil servants to take advantage of the screening programme, noting that many health conditions are silent and can only be detected early through routine medical checks. “Many of us do not take our health seriously, but this must change,” he said.
He further disclosed that the initiative is continuous, with no fixed timeline, encouraging workers to consistently monitor their health status and “know their numbers,” including blood pressure, blood sugar and cholesterol levels.
Highlighting government support, Agoro noted that funding has been provided for the programme, including free medications, while efforts are underway to scale up drug availability through partnerships with the private sector under corporate social responsibility.
He also emphasised preventive health and lifestyle modifications, urging civil servants to adopt regular exercise, proper nutrition, adequate rest and stress management, noting that the work environment is increasingly stressful and can trigger various health conditions.
In her remarks, the Permanent Secretary, Lagos State Ministry of Health, Dr. Dayo Lajide, described the programme as a strategic initiative aimed at encouraging civil servants to take ownership of their health through regular monitoring of key health indicators.
She explained that the “Know Your Numbers” campaign focuses on awareness of blood pressure, blood sugar and cholesterol levels, stressing that many non-communicable diseases develop silently and are often detected late.
Lajide noted that the programme, backed by the Governor, the Commissioner for Health and the Special Adviser to the Governor on Health, ensures that all civil servants have access to free screening services, adding that trained healthcare professionals including doctors, nurses, nutritionists and physiotherapists are available to provide comprehensive care.
She added that the Directorate of Staff Health Services of the Ministry of Health that manages the Folarin Coker Clinic, operates a walk-in system, enabling workers to access care at any time, while critical cases identified during screening would be referred appropriately and supported through the Lagos State Health Insurance Scheme.
Earlier, the Director of Staff Health Services, Dr. Abdulrasheed Kolade, disclosed that the programme targets between 3,500 and 4,000 civil servants annually, drawn from about 14 to 15 Ministries, Departments and Agencies.
Kolade explained that routine checks include blood pressure measurement, fasting blood sugar tests and Body Mass Index assessment, with specialised screenings such as prostate checks for men above 45 years and breast screening for women where necessary.
Also speaking, Nursing Officer at the Lagos State Employee Wellness Centre, Miss Olushola Callisto, highlighted the role of the centre in promoting mental health, offering services such as counselling, therapy and psychiatric support for conditions including stress, insomnia and depression.
She noted that the centre operates an open-door policy and is intensifying awareness campaigns to address stigma and encourage more civil servants to access mental health services as part of a holistic wellness approach.
In his remarks, Chairman of the Association of Senior Civil Servants of Nigeria, Lagos State Council, Comrade Olusegun Balogun, lauded the government for reintroducing and expanding the screening programme, describing it as a commendable step towards safeguarding workers’ health.
Balogun said regular medical screening enables early detection of illnesses and timely intervention, adding that the transition to biannual checks represents a significant improvement in staff welfare.
A beneficiary, Mrs. Funmi Daramola, a civil servant from the Public Service Office, expressed appreciation to the government, noting that the programme provided valuable health education and access to essential medical tests.
Daramola said the initiative has empowered workers with knowledge about their health status, encouraging them to adopt healthier lifestyles, while commending the presence and commitment of the Head of Service at the event.
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