French Defence Health service

French Defence Health Service (Service de santé des armées or SSA) is in charge of medical and sanitary support of the French Military and of all institutions placed under the authority of the French Ministry of Defence.

Practitionners (physicians, chemists, dentists and vets) receive initial training in Bordeaux and Lyon. Then, they are sent to the Val de Grâce Hospital in Paris for applied training.

The service also includes administrative and technical officers (OCTASSA), nurses (males and females) and paramedical staff.

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History

Military Health services were set up by Louis XIV via the 17th of January 1708 edict which established royal doctors and surgeons offices.

During The French Revolution (1789-1799) and the Napoleonic Empire (1804-1814), changes were required due to successive mobilisations. So, military hospitals were set up in religious building such as the Val-de-Grâce church in Paris.

In 1882, the french Parliament gave the military health services a technical independence. Subsequently, eight hospitals, two schools (in Lyon and Bordeaux), as well as research and sanitary supply agencies were gradually acquired.

In 1962, a central management of the military Health services was established. Later, in 1968, all of the military Health services (Navy, Air Force, Army, Constabulary, etc.) merged in order to form a single joint Defence Health service.

Missions

Health support to the armed forces

Contribution to the national public health system

International involvement

Medical support to out of area operations

The french defence health service is committed to offering optimal healthcare quality standards in order to preserve the chances of survival and the physical of the patients.

Therefore, it sets up medical and surgical equipment as close to the casualties as possible. Furthermore, it proceeds to early repatriation of injured soldiers to military hospitals in France.

Humanitarian involvement

The humanitarian side of the defence french defence health service focuses on post-disaster emergency relief and medical support to populations stricken by conflicts.

Moreover, during out of area operations, though prioritizing medical support to its own forces, it provides medical assistance to local populations.