By SUMAILA OGBAJE

The Minister of Defence, Christopher Musa, has pledged to strengthen military healthcare and reduce Nigeria’s reliance on overseas medical treatment.

Musa made the pledge during a visit to the African Medical Centre of Excellence (AMCE) in Abuja, where he stressed the need to build a self-reliant and efficient healthcare system for Armed Forces personnel.

This is disclosed in a statement issued on Saturday in Abuja by Capt. Moses Yare on behalf of the Director of Information and Public Relations, Ministry of Defence.

The minister said the government was prioritising improved medical screening, early diagnosis, and enhanced capacity to manage critical conditions, including cardiovascular diseases.

He added that efforts were underway to establish a comprehensive mental health framework to support personnel facing the psychological demands of operations.

“We must build confidence in our own institutions by providing reliable services that meet global standards,” he said.

Musa also disclosed plans to harmonise medical reporting systems across the Armed Forces to improve coordination and strengthen protection for medical personnel deployed in conflict zones.

He commended AMCE’s management for its professionalism and world-class facilities, expressing optimism that collaboration with the centre would improve healthcare delivery within the military.

Earlier, AMCE’s Chief Medical Officer, Dr A’isha Umar, reaffirmed the centre’s readiness to partner with the ministry of defence to deliver high-quality medical services comparable to global standards.

According to the statement, the visit was part of ongoing efforts to improve personnel welfare and build a resilient military healthcare system in Nigeria. (NAN)

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