COAS Favours PPP to Modernise Nigerian Army Healthcare Facilities

The Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, has expressed support for public-private partnership (PPP) as the optimal strategy for modernizing healthcare facilities owned and operated by the Nigerian Army. This statement was made during a meeting with a delegation of high-ranking officials from the private sector and international community at the Army Headquarters.

The delegation, led by former COAS Lieutenant General Tukur Buratai (rtd), discussed potential collaboration to enhance healthcare delivery and infrastructure within the Nigerian Army. According to the Acting Director of Army Public Relations, Colonel Apollonia Anele, the discussions focused on areas such as developing and upgrading hospitals, providing modern medical equipment, pharmaceutical support, and deploying digital health solutions across all Army establishments.

Lieutenant General Shaibu highlighted that the health and well-being of personnel and their families are at the core of his 'Soldier First' concept, which is crucial for the Army's operational effectiveness. He emphasized that a robust healthcare system is essential for maintaining a professional, adaptable, combat-ready, and resilient force capable of fulfilling its constitutional responsibilities within a joint and multi-agency environment.

The meeting also saw representation from Honey Star Resources Limited, M&P, Elevate Egypt, and the League of African Ambassadors. The proposed partnership aims to leverage the combined capabilities of these entities, along with diplomatic support, to build a more resilient healthcare system that supports troops and strengthens the Army's capacity to respond to Nigeria's evolving security challenges.