RismadarVoice Reporters
August 25, 2026
The Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, has reaffirmed the Nigerian Army’s commitment to strengthening medical support for troops and improving healthcare delivery across its formations.
Lieutenant General Shaibu stated this in Kaduna while commissioning the newly completed Waidi Shaibu Critical Care Centre at the 44 Nigerian Army Reference Hospital.
The COAS also commissioned a modern helipad at the hospital to facilitate the rapid evacuation of wounded personnel from operational theatres.
He said timely access to quality medical care is critical to troop morale, recovery and the overall operational readiness of the Nigerian Army.
According to him, the Critical Care Centre is equipped to handle trauma, intensive care and other complex medical cases, reducing the need to refer critically injured or ill personnel outside military medical facilities.
The Chief of Army Staff said the strength of a fighting force is not measured by weapons alone, but also by the quality of care provided to personnel who bear the responsibility of national security.
He reaffirmed the Army’s commitment to upgrading medical infrastructure across its formations to meet contemporary operational and healthcare needs.
Lieutenant General Shaibu commended the Chief of Defence Staff, General Olufemi Oluyede, under whose leadership as Chief of Army Staff the helipad project was initiated.
He described the facility as a critical enabler that would reduce casualty evacuation time and improve the chances of survival and recovery for wounded soldiers.
The COAS charged medical personnel at the hospital to maintain high standards of professionalism and ensure the proper utilisation and maintenance of the newly commissioned facilities.
