‘Soldier First’: COAS to Modernise Army Healthcare Through Private Partnership
The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, has moved to strengthen healthcare delivery in the Nigerian Army through a proposed public-private partnership aimed at modernising military medical facilities.
Shaibu disclosed this on Thursday, when he received a high-level delegation led by former Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Tukur Buratai (Rtd), at Army Headquarters, Abuja.
The engagement focused on opportunities for sustainable collaboration to develop and upgrade Army hospitals, provide modern medical equipment, strengthen pharmaceutical support and deploy digital health solutions across Army establishments.
The proposed partnership is expected to improve the capacity, accessibility and resilience of military healthcare facilities while addressing the healthcare needs of personnel and their families.
According to a statement by the Acting Director Army Public Relations, Colonel Appolonia Anele, the COAS said the health and wellbeing of personnel and their families remain central to his “Soldier First” concept and critical to the operational effectiveness of the Army.
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Shaibu noted that sustained investment in quality healthcare would support his command philosophy of transforming the Nigerian Army into a more professional, adaptable, combat-ready and resilient force capable of effectively discharging its constitutional responsibilities.
He stressed that a healthy, motivated and well-supported force was fundamental to operational readiness, morale and sustained effectiveness.
The COAS therefore welcomed credible partnerships that could bring investment, expertise, technology and innovative healthcare solutions to complement government efforts and provide sustainable benefits to Army personnel and their families.
The delegation included representatives of Honey Star Resources Limited, M&P and Elevate Egypt, as well as members of the League of African Ambassadors.
The Army said the proposed collaboration would leverage private-sector expertise and investment to strengthen personnel welfare and modernise critical healthcare infrastructure.
It added that the initiative would contribute to building a more resilient healthcare system capable of supporting troops, enhancing operational readiness and strengthening the Army’s response to Nigeria’s evolving security challenges.
By PRNigeria
