By Goodness Anenih
The Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, has emphasized the need for integrated administrative protocols to optimize medical services and improve the welfare of personnel in the Nigerian Army.
Lieutenant General Shaibu made this known on Tuesday during a courtesy visit by the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Defence Health Maintenance Limited, Surgeon Rear Admiral Azeeze Bayo Afolayan (Rtd), at the Army Headquarters in Abuja.
He noted that as the Army continues to undertake complex operations across Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones, maintaining both the physical and mental readiness of troops remains a strategic priority requiring a responsive and modern healthcare system.
The COAS stressed that personnel welfare must go beyond active service to include the well being of retired officers, many of whom face socio economic challenges after years of dedicated service.
Highlighting the importance of post service support, he stated that the Army has a lifelong responsibility to its veterans, calling for structured safety nets to ensure access to healthcare and financial stability after retirement.
Shaibu also described Afolayan as an “insider,” noting that his continued contributions after retirement demonstrate the importance of institutional memory in strengthening national service delivery.
In his remarks, Afolayan advocated the institutionalization of Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), particularly within Human Resources and administrative units of military medical services. He said standardized processes would eliminate inefficiencies and improve healthcare delivery.
He further emphasized that adopting structured, policy driven systems would ensure accurate data management and remove administrative bottlenecks that often delay medical care for troops and their families.
Afolayan also outlined a framework for maximizing Secondary Care Providers (SCPs), explaining that expanding their use would enable better distribution of medical personnel and improve access to specialist care, especially in operational theatres.
He added that leveraging well-equipped SCPs would not only enhance efficiency but also provide a cost-effective approach to delivering quality healthcare across the Nigerian Army.