The military is implementing reforms to address workforce shortages and inadequate equipment and infrastructure affecting healthcare delivery within the armed forces.
A military cardiologist, Life Ajemba, revealed this in an interview in Abuja on Wednesday. Mr Ajemba said the measures aimed to strengthen healthcare services for both serving personnel and veterans.
According to him, the reforms include building a new defence hospital equipped to manage cardiovascular conditions affecting military personnel and retirees.
Mr Ajemba also said military authorities were addressing the shortage of specialised medical personnel by establishing a medical university dedicated to training healthcare workers for the armed forces.
He noted that the move mattered because highly trained specialists could become frustrated when they lacked the equipment and facilities needed to practice effectively.
“You train a doctor to become a cardiologist, but if there is no equipment to work with, some of them may eventually leave the system,” he said.
The cardiologist added that the military was also commissioning doctors, nurses and pharmacists to strengthen its healthcare workforce and meet growing medical needs. According to him, several military hospitals have undergone rehabilitation and received new medical equipment as part of efforts to improve care quality.
“The upgrading of military hospitals, including naval and air force medical facilities, is expected to improve access to specialised and tertiary healthcare services for personnel,” stated Mr Ajemba.
He noted that the reforms would benefit not only cardiovascular care but also the broader military healthcare system.
“Strengthening infrastructure, manpower and equipment remains critical to ensuring that military personnel receive timely and quality medical care,” Mr Ajemba restated.
He also underscored that sustained investment in military healthcare would help retain highly trained medical professionals and improve military hospitals’ capacity to manage complex medical conditions.
Mr Ajemba urged continued attention to the health needs of serving personnel and veterans, stressing that an effective military health system was essential to the well-being and operational readiness of the armed forces.
(NAN)