The Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Defence, Mr Richard Pheelangwah, has commended the leadership of the Ministry of Defence Health Implementation Programme (MoD-HIP) and team for their continued commitment and professionalism in the fight against HIV/AIDS, especially within the Armed Forces families.
He made this commendation during his familiarisation tour to the Programme Office in Abuja, a statement by Queenet Iheoma-Hart, CIO, for the director, Press and Public Relations, stated.
According to Mr Pheelangwah, the health and well-being of the families of the Armed Forces are central to the effectiveness and performance of the force.
He assured the management of the ministry’s commitment towards the implementation of the MoD’s health programme by strengthening the governance structure so that this laudable programme can also serve other Nigerians.
The Permanent Secretary, while hailing the milestone achievements of the programme within a short period of its establishment, urged leadership to focus on strategic collaboration and continued investment in digital health.
In his response, the Director-General, Brigadier-General Babatunde Solebo, who earlier gave a brief overview of the activities of the programme under his watch, described the familiarisation tour embarked upon by the Permanent Secretary as a sign of good leadership. He counted his office as one of the privileged few to be honoured with his visit.
According to Solebo, the programme, which has its operational base in 18 states of the federation, including FCT, is charged with public health management preparedness, initially on HIV-AIDS and later incorporating COVID-19 and mental health care.
It also engages in research and maintains a strategic collaboration among institutions such as the National Food and Drug Administration Control (NAFDAC), National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), Customs Services, the US Embassy and others. The programme also handles mother-to-child transmission of HIV/AIDS to ensure a healthy population. It also takes up scholarship and skill acquisition roles for vulnerable children, especially the military families.
The DG, however, itemised the absorption of 300 health implementation staff and the securing of a regular budgetary framework and infrastructural upgrade, including the establishment of the Armed Forces College of Medicine, as items that will enhance the MoD Health Implementation Programme’s (MoD-HIPs) sustainability.
Earlier in her address of welcome, the country director of the Walter Reed Army Institute of Research Africa (WRAIR-AFRICA, NIGERIA), Mrs Helina Meri, while welcoming the Permanent Secretary’s delegation, noted that the United States of America, which she represents here in Nigeria, has been working together with MoD-HIP in all its administrative and technical areas to ensure the success of this health programme.
Present at the event are the directors from the ministry and MoD-HIP headquarters and other staff.
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