The permanent secretary of the Ministry of Defence, Richard Pheelangwah, has called on Defence Health Maintenance Limited (DHML) to scale up its operations to meet the growing health needs of military personnel and veterans, describing the agency as critical to national security.
This was revealed in a statement by Queenet Iheoma-Hart, the mail ministry’s chief information officer on Thursday in Abuja
According to the statement, Pheelangwah who made this comment during a familiarisation visit to DHML headquarters in Abuja on April 15 stressed that the current security environment demands stronger healthcare support systems for both serving and retired personnel.
“DHML is more needed today than ever before, and no soldier, no officer, and no veteran must be left behind when it comes to healthcare,” he said.
He noted that Nigeria’s evolving security landscape—characterised by asymmetric threats, counter-insurgency operations and prolonged deployments—has placed unprecedented strain on the physical and mental wellbeing of troops.
He pointed out that the rising number of veterans further underscored the need for a responsive and sustainable healthcare framework.
“In this context, DHML is not just a support institution; it is a strategic pillar of national defence,” he added, urging the organisation to demonstrate “renewed commitment, innovation and discipline.”
Pheelangwah said his visit was aimed at strengthening oversight, assessing operational realities, and reaffirming the Ministry’s commitment to the welfare of military personnel and their families.
He commended DHML for its achievements since its establishment in 2005, particularly its coverage of over 110,000 veterans and dependents through a broad network of healthcare providers.
He also praised its compliance with the standards of the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA), noting that such milestones reflect strong quality assurance and regulatory discipline.
Despite these gains, the Permanent Secretary acknowledged challenges including delayed payments to healthcare providers, limited access to specialised tertiary care, and logistical constraints.
“These challenges are not insurmountable, but require deliberate, coordinated and innovative responses,” he said.
He proposed expanding partnerships with tertiary hospitals, strengthening telemedicine services for personnel in remote or conflict zones, and improving logistics coordination to enhance emergency response.
Earlier, managing director/chief executive officer of DHML, Surg. Rear Admiral A.B. Afolayan (rtd), said the organisation operates across all 36 states and the FCT, providing beneficiaries with free access to healthcare through over 135 partner facilities.
He, however, identified irregular premium releases, poor data harmonisation, and low awareness among veterans as key constraints.
The event was attended by senior officials from the Ministry of Defence and DHML.
