Customs takes healthcare to the frontline as medical corps retreat opens in Katsina

 

 

Maureen Aguta

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has intensified efforts to strengthen the health and welfare of its personnel and host communities with the commencement of its 7th Annual Medical Corps Retreat in Katsina State.

The five-day retreat, which opened on Monday, is themed, “Operational Wellbeing: Protecting Health to Protect Borders,” and is designed to deepen professional capacity, enhance healthcare delivery, and improve operational efficiency within the Service.

The programme also features a large-scale free medical outreach for residents of Daura and surrounding communities as part of the Service’s corporate social responsibility initiatives.

Speaking at the opening ceremony, the Comptroller-General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, represented by the Deputy Comptroller-General in charge of Human Resource Development, Tijjani Abe, said the retreat underscores the Service’s commitment to building a healthier and more productive workforce.

According to him, the annual gathering has evolved into a strategic platform for policy review, professional engagement, knowledge sharing, and the development of innovative healthcare solutions for Customs officers operating across the country.

“A healthy workforce remains the backbone of operational efficiency, productivity, and institutional effectiveness,” he stated.

He reaffirmed the resolve of the Customs leadership to continue investing in staff welfare, improved healthcare systems, and better working conditions for medical personnel within the Service.

The CGC also commended the Katsina State Government and host communities for supporting the initiative, urging participants to leverage the retreat to strengthen collaboration and exchange ideas capable of improving healthcare delivery within the NCS.

In his welcome address, the Head of the Customs Medical Unit, Comptroller of Customs Ethelbert Nnaji, said the retreat provides an avenue for the review of the performance of the Customs Medical Corps and the development of practical recommendations for improving healthcare services across commands and formations.

He noted that Katsina State was selected as the host location because of the strategic Customs operations within the state and the need to deepen engagement with border communities.

Nnaji disclosed that the medical outreach scheduled for Daura would provide free healthcare services to residents, while participants would also visit selected medical facilities for benchmarking and assessment exercises.

“We intend to explore options, orthodox practices, and technological innovations that will bring quality healthcare closer to our officers wherever they operate,” he said.

Declaring the retreat open, Katsina State Governor, Umar Dikko Radda, represented by the State Commissioner for Health, Musa Adamu Funtua, praised the Nigeria Customs Service for prioritising the wellbeing of its workforce.

He described a healthy workforce as critical to effective service delivery and commended the leadership of the Customs Service for implementing people-focused policies that continue to strengthen institutional care and operational effectiveness.

The governor’s representative also lauded the cordial relationship between the NCS and the people of Katsina State, while acknowledging the contributions of medical experts and facilitators from institutions including Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital.

The opening ceremony attracted Customs Area Controllers from commands under Zone “B”, senior officers, healthcare professionals, and other stakeholders.

Several paper presentations were delivered by leading health experts, focusing on modern healthcare practices, operational medicine, and innovative approaches to improving service delivery within the Customs Medical Corps.

The retreat is expected to conclude with the free medical outreach in Daura and strategic visits to selected health institutions aimed at strengthening healthcare standards within the Service.