The Minister of Defence, Abubakar Badaru, on Wednesday, announced that the Federal Government has unveiled plans for a comprehensive health maintenance package for both serving and retired personnel of the Armed Forces, including their family members.

He noted that there is still more to be done as a nation, particularly for frontline troops deployed to the battlefield to defend the country against external aggression.

Badaru made this statement in Abuja during the 12th Stakeholders? Meeting 2024 with military healthcare providers.

The event, themed ?Defence Health Maintenance Limited in Sustaining Healthcare Delivery in the Armed Forces of Nigeria,? provided a platform for deliberation on improving healthcare services.

Speaking through the ministry?s Permanent Secretary, Ibrahim Kana, Badaru also said that the government had identified and reviewed several challenges faced by Defence Health Maintenance Limited, the agency serving as the Health Maintenance Organisation for the military.

?As we are aware, the government has promised all personnel, both serving and retired, adequate medical care for them and their families.

?Therefore, the Ministry of Defence and the Armed Forces of Nigeria set up a financing organisation that is called the Defence Health Maintenance Limited to provide financial cover for all serving and retired personnel.

?This organisation has offices across the country, so we brought them here today to review our progress made so far, challenges and also to chart a way forward. Basically, we have looked at our successes and indeed our challenges.

?What I would say is so far so good, but we still have more to do as a people and as a country. We send our personnel to battle and to protect the country. It is our responsibility to also protect them and provide the best medical care for them,? the minister said.

He noted that the Ministry of Defence and the Armed Forces would continue to ensure that they provide the best medical care for the personnel so that they can fight gallantly and with joy and happiness for our country.

Earlier, the Managing Director of the agency, Rear Admiral AB Afolayan, a surgeon, said they would not relent in ensuring that they deliver on their mandate by providing adequate healthcare for military personnel across all formations.

He urged all the officers to key into some of the opportunities being given to them regarding their health. (The PUNCH)

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