POLICEFORCE TO CONDUCT PSYCHIATRIC TEST ON SERVING AND INTENDING OFFICERS - ARASE

Solomon Arase ,the Inspector General of police,  said that the force was also considering establishing a Trauma Centre for Nigeria police officers because of the nature of their job. He said that inadequate manpower had exposed officers to working for longer hoursand it is mandatory for the force to be concerned about the officers' mental  health.

 Arase stated  this while speaking at the Nigeria Police Force Health Policy Re-validation meeting in Abuja on Tuesday that the Nigeria Police Force is considering conducting psychiatric test for both serving officers and new recruits. He said this is necessary as a result of the incidents of indiscriminate use of firearms by  members of the force.

He said poor funding, infrastructure deficit,  inadequate health workers and management deficiencies were some of the challenges affecting the force’s medical unit. He said for these challenges,   to be tackled, a health policy for the force must be developed with inclusive approach from all relevant stakeholders.

Dr Abdulmumini Ibrahim, Registrar, Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria, said in his own remark that the policy was long overdue and that the force in building the needed capacity to take care of the facility. While the Minister of Health, Prof. Isaac Adewole also promised the ministry’s assistance in the implementation of the policy.