He added that a consulting firm had been hired to recommend how this could be achieved.

Speaking at the Defence Health Maintenance Limited’s stakeholders meeting in Abuja on Monday, Magashi lamented that the military healthcare system had lost shape, saying only a reform could help revamp the Armed Forces medical system.

He was represented by the Permanent Secretary, the Ministry of Defence, Ibrahim Kana.

He said, “We have got the approval of the president to reform the entire health system of the military. At our last meeting with all the services, we all agreed the health system was in need of reform in the medical system. As such, a consulting firm has been hired to take a deep look into the health system. The preliminary report has been submitted before the end of the year, we shall review the report.

“For people who have been in Nigeria 40 years back, you will know that the system of the armed forces was not exactly what it is today. We hope to bring it back and ensure it plays a vital role in the delivery of healthcare delivery in the country through this reform.”

He added that with the reforms, the number of interns would be increased, adding that there would also be massive recruitment into the healthcare system.

The minister said, “We will also increase the number of interns in all our medical facilities in the country, the increase in the number of interns means service delivery in our hospitals will improve.

“I have approached the Head of Service for the massive recruitment into our health facilities.”

The Managing Director of the DHML, Azeez Afolayan, said he was working to improve healthcare delivery for retired and serving personnel.

He said, “Our goal is to improve healthcare delivery through health insurance coverage to the serving and retired personnel of the armed forces of Nigeria and their families. This is the reason the DHML exists.

“Some of the bottlenecks already identified in the operations of the scheme are in the billings and claims system. Some others worry about the eligibility for access to care under the scheme, while others have to do with the ability or inability of HCPs to ensure financial prudence in the management of funds allotted to them for health care of serving and retired personnel and their families under the programme.”

He also said the DHML had concluded a 5-year retrospective study of disease patterns among enrollees earlier this year, adding that subsequent research, pairing disease patterns with expenditure, was almost ready.

Magashi spoke at the ministerial briefing to inaugurate the 2022 Armed Forces Remembrance Day celebration in Abuja on Friday.

He stated, “It will interest you to know that the Military Pensions Board just concluded the documentation of ex-Biafran service personnel totalling 102 who were pardoned by Mr President.”

“The war ended 51 years ago and many of those involved are no longer alive but those with genuine complaints can come forward with their claims for consideration.”

He also said payment of pension and gratuities to retired military personnel had been prompt and regular, adding that the ministry in conjunction with the Military Pensions Board conducts regular verification exercises for military pensioners to streamline and check leakages in the system.

He promised that the ministry would continue to engage the pensioners through relevant organs such as the Nigerian Legion, the Veteran Affairs Division and the Military Pensions Board to ensure meeting government obligations.

NAF spokesman, Air Commodore Edward Gabkwet said the aircraft arrived in Kano State on Thursday afternoon.

Major General Bashir Magashi (Rtd), Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Faruk Yahaya and Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Oladayo Amao were present to receive the aircraft.

Recall that the United States Special Military Force successfully rescued an American citizen kidnapped by bandits in the northern part of Nigeria on Saturday, October 31.

Speaking after defending his Ministry’s budget at the Senate on Tuesday, November 3, the Minister said the permission was granted to the United States “as a friendly country” after the Nigerian government was contacted.

Expressing hope of Nigeria exploring a current partnership with the United States to tackle insurgency in the country, Magashi further revealed that they are doing their best with what is available to deploy adequate technology in military operations.