Military key to quality health care in Nigeria, says Obanikoro

The Minister of State for Defence, Ambassador Musili Obanikoro has tasked the Nigerian military to invest heavily in the health sector, saying that the armed forces posses the personnel, structure and historical antecedents to improved quality health in the country.

Obanikoro stated this while declaring open a workshop organised for the Commanders, officers and senior staffs of the Ministry of Defence and United States Department of Defence (MOD-USDoD) partnership programme to combat the spread of HIV/AIDS.

He said that the Nigeria military, like in other climes such as US and South Africa where both, for President Jimmy Carter and late Nelson Mandela were treated in their respective military hospitals, can lead the way to quality health delivery in the country.

He said: “If the military can get it in our health sector, our people will not be running out of the country to treat headache. I believe that the challenge in our health sector can be surmounted if enough investment is given to the military (for that purpose).
“I strongly believe in the military because I used to say that the best of us are in the Military and because we have invested in you (the military).

Therefore, I want to encourage you to ensure that the civilian population are part of your effort to rid the country of HIV/AIDS”.
“What you are doing  by trying to reduce the scourge of HIV/AIDs, is a fantastic job because few years ago it was a major challenge within the military, especially for those returning from the peacekeeping. For them to have stemmed the tide and reverse the trend is a great work and commendable”, he added.

Earlier, the Director, Ministry of Defence Emergency Plan Implementation Committee (MOD EPIC), Major General  Tahir Umar disclosed they have offered free HIV Counselling and Testing (HCT) Services to over 380,000 Nigerians.

Umar also said MOD EPIC with technical support from the US Military HIV Research Programme (MHRP) using funds from counterpart Funding and funds from Presidential Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), has placed over 30,000 clients on Anti Retroviral Therapy (ART).

In order to render quality services, he said, the programme embarked on upgrade of clinics and laboratories where the sites are located and provided them with modern equipment.
“ The programme stated with four sites but now stands at 46 sites with 23 of these sites being main sites providing Comprehensive care. It is envisaged that by the end of the year 50 sites will have been established.
“It is noted that the only five star medical laboratory in Nigeria accredited by the African Society of Laboratory Medicine, is located at the 455 NAF

Hospital Ikeja, one of the programme sites”, he said.
Umar added that the  plight of Orphans and Vulnerable Children (OVC) from HIV/AIDS at programme sites has been a major focus of attention of the MOD EPIC.
He said: “Already, 145 children, whose needs are fully catered for, are benefiting by this arrangement.