The Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle, has called for deeper reforms and renewed commitment to strengthening healthcare“>healthcare delivery across the Armed Forces of Nigeria.
Matawalle, represented by his Special Assistant, Abdulkadir Atiku, made the call on Tuesday in Abuja at the 13th Defence Health Maintenance Limited (DHML) Stakeholders’ Meeting with the theme
“Overcoming the Challenges of healthcare“>Healthcare Delivery in the Armed Forces of Nigeria: DHML and military“>Military healthcare“>Healthcare Providers in Focus.”
He described DHML as a strategic pillar of military“>military readiness and national resilience.
The minister said that the meeting provided an opportunity for stakeholders to reflect, re-strategize, and reinforce shared commitments and sustainable healthcare“>healthcare services to personnel and their families.
He added that
“the DHML was established with clear and noble objectives – to ensure that personnel and their families receive free, comprehensive and quality healthcare“>healthcare through regular funding disbursements.”
Matawalle said the DHML’s vision to become a benchmark for health maintenance organizations in Nigeria remained ambitious and inspiring.
He explained that its mission placed emphasis on efficiency, accountability, service delivery, transparency, and patient satisfaction.
He said the Defense Health system must continue to align with the objectives of the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA), which seeks to protect families from catastrophic health expenditure, guarantee equity in service provision, and ensure quality healthcare“>healthcare through regulated systems.
“In the unique context of the Armed Forces, DHML has localized these national objectives to respond specifically to the needs of military“>military personnel,” he said.
He, therefore, urged healthcare“>healthcare providers and military“>military health commanders to deepen collaboration and strengthen military“>military healthcare“>healthcare financing and service delivery.
Meanwhile, the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), Gen. Olufemi Oluyede, represented by Commodore MB Onwere, expressed concern over persistent gaps in the military“>military healthcare“>healthcare system, in spite of improvements recorded by DHML.
The CDS noted that many chronic ailments and specialized consultations expected to be covered by the NHIA framework remained unaddressed, causing concern within Defence Headquarters.
The Armed Forces is still concerned because some services that should be provided are not being handled properly.
“This message is being relayed so that after this meeting, we can integrate and see how these issues can be changed to ensure full coverage,” he said.
He urged stakeholders to use the meeting as a watershed moment to expand coverage and ensure compliance with national health insurance provisions.
Earlier, Retired Rear Adm. Azeez Afolayan, DHML’s Managing Director/CEO, stated that the meeting was intended to foster open and constructive dialogue about quality healthcare for serving and retired personnel, as well as their dependents.
Afolayan described the military health system as a large and complex structure built on health financing, noting that DHML served as a critical anchor for the Armed Forces’ overall medical system.
If the Nigerian military health establishment were a physical project, DHML would serve as the foundation.
“Periodic retrospection is necessary for early detection of gaps and rectification of fault lines capable of undermining the system,” he said.
Afolayan reaffirmed the organization’s vision: “to become a leader in the Health Management Organization (HMO) business and serve as a benchmark for the country.”
He acknowledged existing challenges such as service delivery gaps, claims processing delays, rising medical care costs, and data-management deficiencies, but remained optimistic that collective action could address them.
“Our task is not just administrative; it is a moral and strategic responsibility. We owe it to our personnel to provide dependable and accessible healthcare“>healthcare,” he said.
He urged participants to approach the discussions with an open mind so that the meeting could not only highlight challenges but also spark solutions that would improve the health and morale of those who serve the country.
The DHML stakeholders’ meeting brought together commanders, commanding officers, and healthcare“>healthcare providers from military“>military hospitals nationwide.
This report was produced by the editorial team at The Gazette News | Latest News In Nigeria & the World in line with our commitment to accuracy, fairness, and responsible journalism. Information in this article is based on verified sources available at the time of publication. The Gazette News | Latest News In Nigeria & the World may update the story as new facts emerge or additional context becomes available.
The Gazette News | Latest News In Nigeria & the World accepts zero funding from governments, corporations, or political parties. No advertiser dictates our coverage. No political interest shapes our investigations. The journalism you just read exists because readers like you chose to protect it. Every contribution goes directly into the field — paying reporters, protecting sources, and ensuring the stories that matter get told without fear or favour.
Funded by Readers
Us Right Now
