By Abubakar Yunusa
The Minister of State for Defence, Bello Muhammad Matawalle, on Tuesday declared that the health of Nigerian service members must remain a top priority, stressing that access to comprehensive healthcare for troops and their families is non-negotiable.
He described health insurance as a critical pillar in reducing the financial burden of medical care on personnel, noting that it is a strategic tool to guarantee financial protection and expand coverage within the Armed Forces.
Matawalle spoke in Abuja while receiving the Director-General of the National Health Insurance Authority, Kelechi Ohiri, and his management team.
In a statement issued by his Personal Assistant on Media, Ahmad Dan-Wudil, the minister said the engagement offered stakeholders the opportunity to reflect, re-strategise and reinforce commitments towards sustainable healthcare delivery for military personnel.
Taking the conversation further, Matawalle disclosed that the Armed Forces, in collaboration with an Egyptian pharmaceutical firm, are planning to establish a pharmaceutical manufacturing facility in Lagos.
The proposed facility, he said, is aimed at meeting the medical needs of the Nigerian Armed Forces and reducing dependence on external supply chains.
“The Ministry of Defence will continue to support initiatives that enhance the welfare of all officers and soldiers,” he said.
The minister emphasised that servicemen and women face enormous health risks in the line of duty and therefore deserve quality, affordable and accessible medical care.
He urged the NHIA to work closely with Corps Commanders of Medical Services to ensure improved healthcare outcomes for troops across formations nationwide.
Responding, Ohiri commended the minister for his “passionate commitment” to the welfare of personnel, assuring that the authority is prepared to support the military in reducing the cost of drugs through ongoing reforms.
He added that the NHIA would also review other operational challenges with a view to strengthening service delivery to the Armed Forces.
The meeting was attended by key defence and health officials, including the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Defence, Richard Pheelangwah, and senior medical commanders from the Army, Navy and Air Force.
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