Minister of Defence, Abubakar Badaru, on Wednesday, revealed a comprehensive health maintenance initiative designed to benefit both active and retired members of the Armed Forces and their families.
Speaking at the 12th Stakeholders’ Meeting 2024 in Abuja, Badaru emphasized the nation’s duty to enhance support for frontline troops who defend Nigeria against external threats.
The meeting, centered around the theme ‘Defence Health Maintenance Limited in Sustaining Healthcare Delivery in the Armed Forces of Nigeria’, provided a platform to discuss ways to improve military healthcare services.
Represented by the ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Ibrahim Kana, Badaru highlighted ongoing efforts to address challenges faced by Defence Health Maintenance Limited (DHML), the Health Maintenance Organisation (HMO) serving the military.
“The government has promised all personnel, both serving and retired, adequate medical care for them and their families,” Badaru stated. He elaborated on the role of DHML, noting that it was established to ensure financial coverage for medical care. “This organisation has offices across the country, so we brought them here today to review our progress made so far, challenges and also to chart a way forward. Basically, we have looked at our successes and indeed our challenges. What I would say is so far so good, but we still have more to do as a people and as a country. We send our personnel to battle and to protect the country. It is our responsibility to also protect them and provide the best medical care for them.”
Badaru reaffirmed the ministry’s commitment to ensuring top-notch healthcare for military personnel, stating that proper medical support is essential for their morale and effectiveness in defending the nation.
The Managing Director of DHML and a surgeon, Rear Admiral AB Afolayan, also addressed the gathering.
He reassured attendees of the agency’s dedication to its mandate and encouraged officers to take full advantage of the healthcare opportunities available to them.
