State of Health Care in the Nigerian Military

Abstract

Introduction: The primary mission of any Military is to defend the territorial integrity of its country. In order to achieve this, the health of its personnel must be well taken care of to enable them can carry out their military missions during peace and wartime. Often described as the medical readiness mission, this effort involves medical testing and screening of recruits, emergency medical treatment of troops involved in hostilities, and the maintenance of physical standards of those in the armed services. This paper is aimed to highlight the lack of the above in the Nigerian Military using Diabetes mellitus as a case report. Diabetes Mellitus is a metabolic disease resulting from deficiency of insulin (absolute or relative) that prevents the body from utilizing glucose. There are essentially two types: - Type I (Insulin Dependent Diabetes Mellitus; IDDM) usually seen in children and Type II (Non-Insulin Dependent Diabetes Mellitus; NIDDM) usually seen in adults. Both types are easily diagnosed and can be managed properly once diagnosed, using injectable insulin, anti-diabetic drugs, diet or a combination. If not diagnosed however, the consequences are many. This range from death to lifelong disabilities such as blindness, chronic renal failure and loss of a limb or limb (s) [1]. The disease should not go unnoticed in a Soldier who has served his country for over thirty years. The military is known for having best medical facilities world over for its personnel and civilians who can access them. No soldier should therefore be sent to the war front without checking his or her health statues as this will affect his or her performance. This is illustrated in the case presented below. Conclusion: All military establishments worldwide, especially in the developing world, Nigeria inclusive, must make the health of its personnel a priority, even above its ordinances.