The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, has emphasized the need for integrated administrative protocols and stronger inter-agency collaboration to enhance medical services within the Nigerian Army.

Speaking on Tuesday, April 7, 2026, at the Army Headquarters in Abuja while receiving the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Defence Health Maintenance Limited (DHML), Surgeon Rear Admiral Azeeze Bayo Afolayan (Rtd), the Army Chief said efficient healthcare delivery is critical to maintaining troop readiness.

Shaibu noted that ongoing military operations across the country’s six geopolitical zones require a responsive and modern healthcare system to support both the physical and mental well-being of personnel. He stressed that troops’ welfare remains a top priority and should extend beyond active service to include retired personnel.

According to him, many veterans face socio-economic challenges after retirement, often due to limited access to resources. He underscored the Army’s responsibility to ensure that former service members continue to receive adequate financial and medical support, describing such commitment as a lifelong obligation.

The COAS also commended Afolayan for his continued service after retirement, describing him as an “insider” whose experience highlights the importance of institutional memory in strengthening national service.

In his remarks, Afolayan called for the adoption of Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), particularly within human resources and administrative units of military medical services. He said standardized processes would improve efficiency, ensure accurate data management, and eliminate delays in healthcare delivery.

He further outlined plans to optimize the use of Secondary Care Providers (SCPs), explaining that expanding their role would help distribute medical personnel more effectively across various Army units. This, he said, would enhance access to specialist care, especially for troops deployed in high-risk operational areas, while also ensuring cost-effective healthcare management.