The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) on Saturday 26th October 2019, commissioned the NAF School of Medical Sciences and Aviation Medicine (NAFSMSAM) at the NAF Base in Kaduna.
According to the statement released by Air Commodore Ibikunle Daramola on the commissioning of the school, he stated that the NAF School of Medical Sciences and Aviation Medicine, which has three colleges within its span of control, is tasked with the initial training of nurses and medical technicians in the allied medical fields such as pharmacy, medical laboratory and preventive health services.
Stating further, the NAF spokesperson said the NAF School of Medical Sciences and Aviation Medicine is also expected to organize upgrading and refresher courses for various categories of NAF Medical Services personnel aimed at exposing them to global best practices in aviation medicine.
The Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar, who commissioned the project, while giving his remark during the commissioning ceremony, expressed his delight, describing the NAF School of Medical Sciences and Aviation Medicine as a milestone in the history of the NAF.
The CAS recounted that upon his assumption of office in July 2015, he resolved to improve the welfare services for NAF personnel, which he perceived as a major requirement in the development of human capacity for enhanced operational performance.
According to him, while the NAF was being restructured for efficient service delivery over the last 4 years, there had been series of infrastructural improvements aimed at repositioning it for more effective and efficient employment of Air Power.
“The infrastructural developments of the Service necessitated the establishment of new hospitals and medical centres across the country to provide adequate medical support for NAF operations as well as members of host communities”, he added.
Air Marshal Abubakar stated that the School would, no doubt, help in bridging the manpower requirement gap as well as add significant value in enhancing the human capacity of the Medical Services, thereby ensuring NAF personnel are healthy and safe to effectively discharge their duties. He noted that even before commissioning, the School had commenced training activities and, as such, has been discharging some of its assigned roles and responsibilities.
In August 2019, the School churned out the first set of students for A1 upgrading courses for NAF pharmacist, the CAS had stated.