NMA to begin monthly psychiatric checks for inmates

The Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) says it will commence monthly psychiatric evaluation for all prison inmates across the country from November 2025.

The NMA Vice President, Dr Benjamin Olowojebutu, disclosed this during a visit to the Controller-General of the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS) in Abuja on Wednesday, October 29, 2025.

The visit also featured the donation of re-useable sanitary pads to all female inmates nationwide.

Olowojebutu said the psychiatric evaluation would ensure that every inmate has access to mental health tools, while the sanitary pad donation aimed to promote the dignity and wellbeing of female inmates.

Olowojebutu stated that the association’s findings also showed that inmates required consistent psychological support and psychiatric assessment to aid rehabilitation.

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He said: “With our continued collaboration with the NCoS, we are confident that the lives of inmates; both male and female will improve.

“We have agreed, together with our partners at Diatom Impact/Platform Capital, to continue being our brothers’ keepers”.

Responding, the Controller-General of the NCoS, Sylvester Nwakuche, commended the NMA for its commitment to improving the welfare of inmates and for sustaining its partnership with the Service.

He said the NMA’s donation and its pledge to provide ongoing medical and mental health support showed sincerity and professionalism.

The Star