Defence Minister Proposes Armed Forces Medical College

Defence Minister Bello Matawalle announced the proposal for an Armed Forces College of Medicine and Health Sciences during a high-level strategic meeting in Abuja. This initiative aims to deliver desired healthcare to military personnel and civilians.

The meeting, which included Minister of Education Morufu Olatunji Alausa and other stakeholders, emphasized the need for collaboration among ministries to address the persistent shortage of medical doctors in the armed forces. The proposed college will be integrated into the Nigerian Defence Academy, leveraging existing facilities such as the 68 Nigerian Army Reference Hospital in Yaba and military hospitals in Lagos and Ikeja.

Matawalle's project aligns with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu's directive to strengthen national security through specialized military medical training. Brig Gen Ib Solebo, Director General of Defence Health, described the initiative as timely, especially following pledges of support from the Walter Reed Army Institute of Research.

The first admissions to the college are expected to commence in November.