The Nigeria Customs Service Medical Unit on Monday commenced its 7th Annual Medical Corps Retreat in Katsina State, with a renewed focus on improving healthcare delivery and operational wellbeing within the Service.
The five-day retreat, themed “Operational Wellbeing: Protecting Health to Protect Borders,” brought together medical personnel, senior Customs officers, healthcare professionals and stakeholders from across the country for professional engagement, policy review, strategic planning and knowledge sharing.
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, reaffirmed the Service’s commitment to strengthening staff welfare and healthcare delivery.
He described the retreat as a vital platform for professional interaction, exchange of ideas and policy review aimed at improving medical services within the Nigeria Customs Service.
According to him, a healthy workforce remains critical to operational efficiency, productivity and institutional effectiveness, adding that the Service would continue to support initiatives that enhance the welfare, capacity and working conditions of medical personnel.
The Customs boss also appreciated the government and people of Katsina State for hosting the retreat and encouraged participants to build stronger professional relationships and share experiences that would improve healthcare delivery within the Service.
In his welcome address, the Head of the Customs Medical Unit, Comptroller Ethelbert Nnaji, commended the support of the Customs management in strengthening the Service’s healthcare system.
He said the annual retreat provides an opportunity to review the performance of the Customs Medical Corps and develop recommendations that would guide management in improving healthcare services.
Nnaji explained that Katsina State was selected as the venue because of the extensive Customs operations in the state and the need to strengthen relationships with host communities for effective service delivery.
He further disclosed that the Service would conduct a free medical outreach in Daura as part of its corporate social responsibility initiatives during the retreat.
According to him, the Service also intends to explore orthodox practices and technological innovations aimed at bringing quality healthcare closer to officers across operational areas.
Declaring the retreat open, Governor Umar Dikko Radda, represented by the State Commissioner for Health, Musa Adamu Funtua, praised the Nigeria Customs Service for prioritising the welfare and health of its personnel.
He noted that a healthy workforce remains essential for effective service delivery and the attainment of organisational goals.
The governor’s representative also commended the cordial relationship between the Customs Service and the people of Katsina State, while acknowledging the contributions of facilitators and resource persons from Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital and other institutions.
Delivering the vote of thanks, Zonal Coordinator of Zone “B”, Nsikan Umoh, appreciated the Katsina State Government, the leadership of the Nigeria Customs Service, participants and stakeholders for supporting the retreat.
The event also featured paper presentations by health experts from across the country aimed at equipping participants with modern knowledge and professional skills to improve healthcare service delivery within the Customs Medical Corps.
Customs Area Controllers from commands under Zone “B”, senior officers, medical professionals and other stakeholders attended the opening ceremony.
The retreat is expected to end with a large-scale free medical outreach in Daura and visits to selected health facilities for benchmarking and assessment purposes.