By Harriet Tornguvan
The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, has underscored the importance of integrated administrative systems in enhancing medical services and overall welfare of personnel in the Nigerian Army.
Speaking during a courtesy visit by the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Defence Health Maintenance Limited (DHML), Surgeon Rear Admiral Azeeze Bayo Afolayan (Rtd), at the Army Headquarters in Abuja, the COAS stressed that efficient healthcare delivery within the military hinges on standardized administrative protocols and strong inter-agency collaboration.
According to a statement issued by the Acting Director, Army Public Relations, Colonel Appolonia Anele, General Shaibu noted that the Army’s expanding operational commitments across the country’s six geopolitical zones require a responsive and modern healthcare system to sustain the physical and mental readiness of troops.
He emphasized that personnel welfare must go beyond active service, calling for sustained support systems that cater to retired soldiers. The Army Chief highlighted the socio-economic challenges often faced by veterans, noting that limited access to resources after retirement can expose them to hardship.
“The man must survive after service,” he said, reaffirming the Nigerian Army’s lifelong obligation to its retirees. He advocated the establishment of comprehensive safety nets to ensure that former personnel continue to receive adequate financial and medical support.
General Shaibu also commended the DHML boss, describing him as an “insider” whose continued contributions after retirement demonstrate the enduring value of experience and institutional knowledge in national service.
In his remarks, Surgeon Rear Admiral Afolayan called for the institutionalization of Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) within military medical units, particularly in human resources and administrative departments. He noted that efficient healthcare delivery depends on clearly defined processes and standardized documentation, rather than ad-hoc systems.
He explained that adopting structured administrative frameworks would enhance data management, reduce bureaucratic bottlenecks, and ensure timely medical attention for personnel and their families across the country.
Afolayan further outlined a strategy to improve healthcare access through the effective use of Secondary Care Providers (SCPs). He said expanding and strengthening these facilities would enable the Army to better distribute medical personnel and resources, particularly in high-risk operational areas.
According to him, leveraging well-equipped SCPs would not only improve access to specialist care for troops but also ensure a more cost-effective and efficient healthcare system within the Nigerian Army.
The engagement, he noted, reflects ongoing efforts to modernize military healthcare services and reinforce the welfare architecture for both serving and retired personnel.
