By Nkechi Eze
The Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Defence, Mr. Richard Pheelangwah, has called on Defence Health Maintenance Limited (DHML) to intensify its operations and expand healthcare delivery for serving personnel, retired military officers, veterans and their families, stressing that the organisation has become “more needed today than ever before” in the face of growing national security challenges.
Pheelangwah made the call on Wednesday, April 15, 2026, during a familiarisation visit to the headquarters of DHML in Abuja, where he highlighted the increasing physical and mental health demands placed on military personnel engaged in counter-insurgency, asymmetric warfare and extended field deployments.
According to him, the evolving security environment has placed unprecedented pressure on the Armed Forces, while the expanding population of veterans and retirees requires a more inclusive and responsive healthcare system that preserves dignity and recognises national service.
“In this context, DHML is not just a support institution, it is a strategic pillar of national defence. You must therefore continue to rise to this responsibility with renewed commitment, innovation, and discipline,” he said.
He explained that the visit was aimed at providing administrative oversight and obtaining first-hand insight into DHML’s operations, achievements and challenges, while also reinforcing the Ministry’s commitment to strengthening healthcare delivery across the defence sector.
Pheelangwah commended DHML for its performance since its establishment in 2005, describing it as a specialised health maintenance organisation for the military that has maintained high standards in healthcare management. He noted that the organisation currently provides coverage for over 110,000 veterans and their dependents through a wide network of military and civilian healthcare providers.
He also praised DHML for its compliance with the standards of the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA), including sustained re-accreditation, saying the achievements reflect strong institutional discipline and commitment to quality service delivery.
However, he acknowledged existing operational challenges, including delays in payments to healthcare providers, limited access to specialised tertiary care, and logistical constraints affecting service delivery.
Pheelangwah noted that while the challenges were significant, they were not insurmountable, adding that they required coordinated and innovative solutions. He proposed strengthening partnerships with tertiary hospitals to ease referral bottlenecks, expanding telemedicine services to support personnel in remote and conflict-prone areas, and improving logistics coordination with Service Medical Corps to enhance emergency response.
He assured DHML of the Ministry’s continued policy and administrative support, as well as efforts to create an enabling environment for improved healthcare delivery within the defence sector.
The Permanent Secretary also commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, for his commitment to national security and personnel welfare, as well as the Minister of Defence and Minister of State for Defence for their sustained efforts in strengthening the Armed Forces’ welfare framework.
Earlier, the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of DHML, Surg. R/Adm. A.B. Afolayan (rtd), said the organisation currently operates across all 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory, providing free healthcare access to beneficiaries.
He disclosed that DHML partners with over 135 healthcare providers across primary, secondary and tertiary levels, while identifying key operational challenges such as irregular release of premiums, non-harmonisation of personnel data, and limited awareness among veterans about how to access the scheme.
The visit was attended by principal officers and management staff of the Ministry of Defence and DHML.
