Minister Of Defence Kicks Off Military Health Reform Project
According to Major General Bashir Salihi Magashi (Rtd), the Minister of Defence, the Federal Government has put in place a mechanism for the establishment of a world-class Military Hospital akin to the Walter Reed Military Medical Centre in the United States of America (USA).
Magashi made the disclosure during the workshop on reforming military health services in Nigeria held in Transcorp Hilton Hotel, Abuja.
“The ministry resolved to review the Armed Forces Health System, identify gaps and reposition it to better serve the military personnel, veterans and their families as well as the general public.”
He said in realisation of the need to have a wholesome reform of the Defence Sector, standardisation of medical services for the military is prioritised.
“In this direction, the ministry engaged a consultant to carry out a comprehensive assessment of the Armed Forces health system with a view to upgrading the facilities, recruiting more Personnel and boosting the morale of the Armed Forces and civilians alike,” the minister pointed out.
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While declaring the workshop open and symbolically flagging off the Needs Assessment and Strategic Review Project, the minister stated that there is a need for a coordinated and unified Armed Forces healthcare delivery system to tackle enormous challenges for the benefit of the Armed Forces and Nigerians.
“My vision is to put in place mechanisms that will lead to the establishment of a world-class Military Hospital akin to Walter Reed Hospital in the USA that will successfully manage officers and soldiers injured in battle as well as provide serving Personnel, Veterans, and their families and indeed Nigerians quality healthcare services. I am soliciting your support to set this noble project in motion even though I know accomplishing this during our time in the Ministry may be difficult but we look forward to being beneficiaries of this noble venture in the nearest future.”
During a presentation, Dr. Abubakar Ibrahim Kana, the Permanent Secretary, announced that the Chief of Defence Staff had acquired land from the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) authorities to house the proposed world-class hospital to be jointly managed by the Army, Navy, and Air Force for the purpose of inclusiveness.
The Chief of Defence Staff, Major General Lucky Irabor, had expressed his optimism about the hospital in a goodwill message, during the occasion, that the project would raise the morale of the Armed Forces.
