By Nkechi Eze
The Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Hasan Bala Abubakar, has reiterated his commitment to the well-being of Nigerian Air Force (NAF) personnel, stating that ensuring their health is not just a duty but a fundamental pillar of his vision for the Service.
He made this assertion while delivering his opening remarks during the NAF Medical Conference 2025, marking the first of such gathering in 4 years.
Speaking to a distinguished audience of medical professionals, military officers, and stakeholders, the CAS emphasised that a healthy force is a capable force, stressing that medical preparedness is a critical enabler of operational effectiveness.
He noted that airmen and women operate in high-risk environments that demand peak physical and mental readiness, making healthcare a force multiplier rather than just a support function.
Under his leadership, deliberate steps have been taken to strengthen NAF’s medical capabilities. These include specialised training for medical personnel in aviation medicine across the United States, United Kingdom, Pakistan, and India, as well as residency programmes in key medical fields.
He also highlighted the revitalisation of the 061 Aeromedical Centre and ongoing efforts to establish a trauma centre at the 465 NAF Hospital in Kano, which will provide critical care for personnel engaged in operations. Air Marshal Abubakar used the opportunity to express profound gratitude to the Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, for his unrelenting support for the service over the past few years.
In his welcome address, the Chief of Medical Services (CMS), Air Vice Marshal Anthony Ekpe, expressed profound gratitude to the CAS for his unwavering support to the Medical Services Branch.
AVM Anthony noted that under the current leadership, the NAF Medical Branch has achieved remarkable milestones.
“His direct intervention has resulted in the Nigerian School of Medical Science and Aviation Medicine Kaduna securing 4 accreditations for the training of pharmacy technicians, medical laboratory technicians, medical imaging technicians and community health extension workers in the past one year”.
Additionally, he noted that the CAS also commissioned a new hospital in Abuja, approved procurement of equipment needed for the reactivation of 061 Aeromedical Centre and approved the training of several NAF doctors and nurses in aviation medicine. According to the CMS “these achievements are a testament to the CAS commitment to enhance medical services in the NAF”.
