Odita Sunday 
DHML at 20: Strengthening Military Healthcare, Supporting National Security
By Odita Sunday
For two decades, Defence Health Maintenance Limited (DHML) has remained a critical pillar in the healthcare architecture of Nigeria’s Armed Forces, ensuring that serving personnel, veterans and their families have access to quality and affordable healthcare services.
As the organisation marks its 20th anniversary on June 11, 2026, stakeholders from the defence, healthcare and policy sectors are expected to gather in Abuja to celebrate what has become a remarkable legacy of service, innovation and commitment to military welfare.
The anniversary, themed “Strengthening Military Health Systems for Universal Health Coverage Through Evidence, Innovation and Strategic Partnership,” presents an opportunity not only to celebrate DHML’s achievements but also to examine the future of healthcare delivery within Nigeria’s military community.
Hosted by the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of DHML, Surgeon Rear Admiral Azeez Bayo Afolayan (Rtd.), the event will bring together senior military officers, government officials, healthcare professionals, development partners and beneficiaries from across the country.
The Honourable Minister of Defence, General Christopher Gwabin Musa (Rtd.), OFR, is expected as Special Guest of Honour, while the Honourable Minister of State for Defence, Dr Bello Mohammed Matawalle, MON, who also serves as Chairman of the DHML Board of Directors, will chair the occasion.
Their participation reflects the growing recognition of healthcare as a strategic component of military readiness, operational effectiveness and personnel welfare.
Established in 2005 as a specialised Health Maintenance Organisation (HMO), DHML is jointly owned by the Ministry of Defence and the Armed Forces of Nigeria under the National Health Insurance Scheme framework. The organisation was created to provide accessible, affordable and sustainable healthcare services for military personnel, retirees and their eligible dependants.
Over the years, DHML has evolved into one of Nigeria’s most unique healthcare management institutions, playing a vital role in strengthening healthcare delivery across the military ecosystem.
At the heart of its operations is a commitment to ensuring that serving and retired military personnel, as well as their eligible family members, enjoy access to comprehensive healthcare through a structured and efficient health insurance system.
This commitment has enabled the organisation to maintain high standards of accountability, quality assurance and service delivery.
During a recent familiarisation visit by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Defence, Richard Pheelangwah, DHML’s leadership disclosed that the organisation currently works with over 935 healthcare providers nationwide, comprising 230 military and 705 civilian medical facilities.
Through this extensive network, DHML continues to provide healthcare services across primary, secondary and tertiary levels of care, reaching a growing population of military personnel, veterans and their dependants.
One of the organisation’s most significant contributions has been its support for military veterans. Records indicate that DHML currently provides healthcare coverage for more than 110,000 veterans and their dependants through its robust military-civilian healthcare network.
The organisation’s commitment to excellence has also earned it recognition within Nigeria’s health insurance sector.
Among its notable achievements was its distinction as the only Health Maintenance Organisation that fully met all re-accreditation requirements during a major National Health Insurance Scheme assessment exercise in 2018.
This accomplishment further reinforced DHML’s reputation as a benchmark institution in managed healthcare administration.
Military and healthcare experts have consistently emphasised that the health of service personnel is directly linked to operational performance and mission success.
As security challenges continue to evolve and military deployments become increasingly demanding, access to reliable healthcare services has become more critical than ever.
This reality aligns with the anniversary theme, which highlights evidence-based healthcare delivery, innovation and strategic partnerships as essential drivers of universal health coverage within military communities.
Like many healthcare institutions worldwide, DHML faces challenges, including funding constraints, access to specialised healthcare services and the need for greater beneficiary awareness.
However, the organisation has continued to advocate improved funding mechanisms and stronger collaboration among stakeholders to enhance healthcare delivery for both serving personnel and veterans.
Recent engagements have also explored opportunities to expand telemedicine services, improve healthcare logistics and strengthen partnerships with tertiary healthcare institutions to facilitate access to specialised medical care.
These initiatives underscore DHML’s determination to remain responsive to emerging healthcare realities while staying focused on its core mandate of protecting the health and wellbeing of Nigeria’s military community.
Under the leadership of Surgeon Rear Admiral Afolayan, DHML has consistently championed reforms aimed at strengthening military healthcare systems in line with Nigeria’s broader goal of achieving Universal Health Coverage.
For the thousands of military personnel, veterans and family members who have benefited from its services over the years, DHML represents far more than a healthcare administrator. It stands as a symbol of care, commitment and continuity—an institution dedicated to safeguarding those who dedicate their lives to safeguarding the nation.
As stakeholders converge at the Nigerian Army Conference Centre, Abuja, to commemorate this important milestone, the event will serve as a reminder that behind every effective fighting force is a dependable healthcare system committed to preserving the lives, health and wellbeing of those who serve.
Twenty years after its establishment, DHML continues to fulfil that mission—strengthening lives, supporting military operational readiness and advancing healthcare excellence across Nigeria’s Armed Forces community.
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