DHML More Crucial Than Ever Amid Security Challenges — Pheelangwah
Oru Leonard
Abuja, April 16, 2026 — The Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Defence, Richard Pheelangwah, has underscored the critical role of Defence Health Maintenance Limited (DHML) in safeguarding the wellbeing of military personnel, declaring that the organisation is “more needed today than ever before.”
Pheelangwah made the assertion during a familiarisation visit to the headquarters of Defence Health Maintenance Limited in Abuja on Wednesday, where he stressed that no serving or retired personnel should be denied access to quality healthcare.
He noted that Nigeria’s evolving security landscape—characterised by asymmetric threats, counter-insurgency operations, and prolonged deployments—has placed unprecedented physical and psychological demands on members of the Armed Forces. According to him, the increasing number of veterans further reinforces the need for a responsive and sustainable healthcare system.“In this context, DHML is not just a support institution; it is a strategic pillar of national defence. You must continue to rise to this responsibility with renewed commitment, innovation, and discipline,” he said.
The Permanent Secretary explained that the visit was part of efforts to strengthen administrative oversight and gain firsthand insight into the agency’s operations, challenges, and achievements. He reaffirmed the Ministry’s commitment to improving the welfare of personnel and enhancing coordination across its agencies.
Pheelangwah commended DHML for its performance since its establishment in 2005, highlighting its coverage of over 110,000 veterans and their dependents through a wide network of healthcare providers. He also praised the organisation’s adherence to standards set by the National Health Insurance Authority, describing it as a benchmark for quality assurance and regulatory compliance.
Despite the progress, he acknowledged challenges such as delays in payments to healthcare providers, limited access to specialised tertiary care, and logistical constraints. He, however, described these issues as surmountable with coordinated and innovative solutions.
To address the gaps, Pheelangwah proposed deeper partnerships with tertiary hospitals to ease referral bottlenecks, expansion of telemedicine services for personnel in remote and conflict-prone areas, and improved logistics coordination to enhance emergency response.
He assured the agency of the Ministry’s continued support through enabling policies and administrative backing.
The Permanent Secretary also praised the leadership of Bola Ahmed Tinubu for prioritising national security and the welfare of military personnel, as well as the efforts of the Defence Ministers in strengthening institutional capacity.
Earlier, the Managing Director/CEO of DHML, A.B. Afolayan, revealed that the organisation operates across all 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory, partnering with over 135 healthcare providers to deliver services to beneficiaries.
He identified key challenges facing the organisation, including irregular release of premiums, lack of harmonised personnel data, and low awareness among veterans about accessing DHML services.
The event was attended by senior officials from the Ministry of Defence and management staff of DHML.
