By Bavoriat Clara
The Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Defence, Mr. Richard Pheelangwah, has commended the leadership and staff of the Ministry of Defence Health Implementation Programme (MoD-HIP) for their dedication and professionalism in combating HIV/AIDS, particularly among families of the Armed Forces. He gave the commendation during a familiarisation tour of the programme office in Abuja.
In a statement issued by the Director of Press and Public Relations, Queenet Iheoma-Hart, Mr. Pheelangwah emphasized that the health and well-being of Armed Forces families remain critical to the overall effectiveness and operational performance of the military. He assured the programme’s management of the Ministry’s commitment to strengthening governance structures to enhance the implementation of its health initiatives and expand their benefits to the wider Nigerian population.
The Permanent Secretary also applauded the programme’s achievements within its short period of establishment, urging its leadership to sustain strategic collaborations and invest in digital health solutions to improve service delivery.
In his response, the Director-General of MoD-HIP, Brigadier-General Babatunde Solebo, described the visit as a demonstration of exemplary leadership. He noted that the programme, which operates in 18 states including the Federal Capital Territory, focuses on public health preparedness, initially targeting HIV/AIDS before expanding to include COVID-19 response and mental health care.
Brigadier-General Solebo further highlighted the programme’s partnerships with key institutions such as the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), the Nigeria Customs Service, and the United States Embassy. He added that the programme also addresses prevention of mother-to-child transmission of HIV, while providing scholarships and skills acquisition opportunities for vulnerable children, especially within military families.
He identified key steps toward sustainability of the programme to include the absorption of 300 health implementation staff, securing a stable budgetary framework, infrastructure upgrades, and the establishment of the Armed Forces College of Medicine.
Earlier in her welcome address, the Country Director of the Walter Reed Army Institute of Research Africa (WRAIR-Africa Nigeria), Mrs. Helina Meri, reaffirmed the commitment of the United States to supporting the MoD-HIP through administrative and technical collaboration to ensure the success of the programme.
The event was attended by directors from the Ministry of Defence, MoD-HIP headquarters, and other staff members.
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