Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar,
The Nigerian Air Force on Saturday commissioned the NAF School of Medical Sciences and Aviation Medicine (NAFSMSAM) at the NAF Base, Kaduna.
The School, 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.
According to Ibikunle Daramola, Air Commodore and Director of Public Relations and Information
Nigerian Air Force, the School 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.
In his remarks during the commissioning ceremony, the Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar, expressed his delight, describing it 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
He said: “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”.
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.
During his welcome address, the Chief of Medical Services (CMS), Air Commodore Gideon Bako, stated that the School is the flagship of the commitment of the CAS towards enhancing personnel welfare through the provision of quality healthcare.
Air Commodore Bako also noted that the School would serve to provide the requisite manpower for enhanced medical services in the NAF, while also driving the reorientation and attitudinal change of medical personnel towards patient-focused service delivery.
He recalled that it was under the present CAS that the then Directorate of Medical Services was upgraded to Branch status.
The CMS equally thanked the CAS for recognizing the hard work of NAF Medical personnel by approving the elevation of the Home Matron of the College of Nursing and Regimental Sergeant Major of the NAFSMSAM, Grace Garba, to the enviable rank of Air Warrant Officer (AWO). He noted that AWO Garba was not only the first airwoman to be so elevated but also the first Medical personnel to attain the enviable rank.
In recognition of their past service and dedication to duty, four retired NAF Medical officers, in the persons of Air Vice Marshal Saleh Shinkafi, Air Cdre Aisha Abdulahi, Group Captain Olayinka Periera and Group Captain Rakia Omar, had facilities in the School named after them.
The well-attended event had the Secretary General Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria as well as the Kaduna State Coordinator of the Council in attendance. Also present were the Director of Nursing Services Kaduna State Ministry of Health as well as many serving and retired senior NAF officers.
