The Police Officers’ Wives Association (POWA) has called on nurses across Nigeria to prioritise the health of police officers and their families, describing it as essential to national security.
The appeal was made by POWA President, Mrs Olufunmilola Disu, during a meeting with the National Association of Nigerian Nurses and Midwives (NANNM) at the association’s office in Abuja.
Addressing the delegation led by its National President, Comrade Haruna Mamman, Mrs Disu urged nurses to see the care of police personnel as a shared responsibility.
“They stand on the frontlines for our safety, so we must stand for their health,” she said.
Mrs Disu, who is also a nurse, spoke of the need for healthcare professionals to take a more intentional role in supporting police families, noting that their well-being directly affects the performance of officers.
“When we care for those who protect the nation, we strengthen the very system that protects us all. Healthy officers serve better, and supported officers protect better,” she added.
Her remarks come ahead of the Lagos phase of the POWA Cares Initiative, a welfare programme designed to provide medical, economic and social support to police families.
The first phase of the programme, held in Abuja, reached more than 1,000 beneficiaries through free eye care services and general health consultations.
The upcoming Lagos outreach will expand these services while also introducing new interventions, including scholarships for 10 children of police officers to study nursing.
Mrs Disu highlighted the central role of nurses in the initiative, describing them as key to delivering preventive care, early detection and community health education.
The meeting also touched on concerns raised by NANNM over the growing threat of unqualified medical practitioners, with the association seeking stronger enforcement to curb the trend.
POWA said its collaboration with nurses would not only improve health outcomes for police families but also help build trust between the healthcare system and the communities it serves.
The Lagos outreach is expected to take place later this month, bringing together healthcare professionals to deliver targeted support to police families across the state.
