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By Sumaila Ogbaje
The Federal Government and the military leadership have emphasised the need for innovation, digital health solutions and strategic partnerships to improve healthcare delivery for personnel of the Armed Forces of Nigeria and their dependants.
They made the call at the 20th Anniversary Celebration of Defence Health Maintenance Limited (DHML) on Thursday in Abuja.
The Minister of State for Defence, Dr Bello Matawalle, represented by the Director of Health Services, Ministry of Defence, Dr Gabriel Ibe, described healthcare security as an essential component of operational readiness and national security.
Matawalle said the welfare and healthcare needs of military personnel and their families remained critical to sustaining morale and effectiveness in military operations.
According to him, DHML has, over the past two decades, demonstrated resilience, innovation and commitment to ensuring accessible and quality healthcare for personnel and their dependants.
He urged the organisation to focus on value-based healthcare, innovation and strategic partnerships to sustain its achievements and improve service delivery.
The minister said emerging technologies such as telemedicine, digital health platforms and data-driven decision-making offered opportunities to expand access to healthcare, especially for personnel deployed in remote operational environments.
He added that stronger collaboration among military medical services, public and private healthcare providers, and the National Health Insurance Authority would enhance healthcare outcomes for beneficiaries.
In a goodwill message, the Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Waidi Shaibu, represented by the Chief of Administration (Army), Maj.-Gen. Isa Abdullahi, described DHML as a strategic partner in supporting troop welfare.
Shaibu said the success of military operations was closely linked to the physical and mental well-being of personnel.
He noted that DHML had continued to provide soldiers, officers, veterans and their dependants with access to quality and affordable healthcare through its network of accredited healthcare providers.
The army chief urged the organisation to embrace emerging healthcare technologies and strengthen partnerships capable of guaranteeing accessible and sustainable healthcare services.
Also speaking, the Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Sunday Aneke, represented by the Director of Health Services, Nigerian Air Force, Air Commodore Nkechi Uzodima, commended DHML for advancing healthcare financing and access to quality medical services.
He said contemporary security challenges required robust and sustainable healthcare systems capable of supporting force readiness and operational effectiveness.
According to him, the future of military healthcare lies in the integration of digital health solutions, preventive healthcare programmes, data-driven planning and stronger stakeholder collaboration.
The air chief congratulated the board, management and staff of DHML on its 20 years of service and assured the organisation of the continued support of the Nigerian Air Force.
The anniversary celebration is themed “Transforming Military Health Systems for Better Health Coverage through Defence Health Maintenance Limited: Progress, Challenges and Strategic Partnerships”.
The event brought together military officers, healthcare professionals and stakeholders in the health sector. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)
Edited by Isaac Aregbesola
