All Nigerian Air Force personnel will now be covered by a Group Personal Accident Insurance Policy thanks to approval from Air Marshal Hasan Abubakar, Chief of the Air Staff.
Air Vice Marshal Edward Gabkwet, the Director of Public Relations and Information for the Nigerian Air Force, clarified that although the Ministry of Defence offers a Group Life Assurance Policy for military personnel, it only covers the families of personnel killed in action and does not cover medical costs resulting from accidents.
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The new policy, according to Gabkwet, is in line with the Air Chief’s command philosophy and aims to maintain a highly motivated force by means of enhanced welfare and infrastructure renovation.
The statement said, in part, “All NAF personnel are covered by a number of insurance policies managed by the Ministry of Defence and the NAF Investment Limited; nonetheless, some hazards and problems that people may face during their careers are not sufficiently addressed by these policies.
“It became imperative, therefore, to review and implement a specialised insurance scheme designed to address these hazards and unique challenges.”
According to him, Abubakar noted that the GPAIP will provide NAF members with the guarantee of proper care in the event of injury or death sustained during military operations or any type of accident, encouraging them to give it their all.
According to Gabkwet, the insurance company would pay for medical costs as well as compensation for death, disability, and physical harm.
The statement went on, “Performance of military operations exposes personnel to varying degrees of hazards with potentially life-altering consequences of fatalities; hence, existing policies must be continuously reviewed to ensure the wellbeing of personnel.”
The purpose of the agreement with KBC Insurance Brokers Limited is to compensate any insured persons for physical harm, death, disability, and payment of medical costs that are exclusively and directly caused by accidents, external, violent, and visible causes.
“In addition, the plan will reimburse the NAF for the injured personnel’s salary in the event that they are hospitalised, as well as provide compensation to the families of personnel who unintentionally died during operations.”
According to Gabkwet, the new policy would pay for medical expenses in the event of accidents or long-term injuries, as well as provide benefits to the families of servicemen killed in action.
“Medical bills, compensation for temporary or permanent disability, and death, among other things, are covered by the GPAIP, which is comprehensive and benefits personnel and their families in the event of death,” Gabkwet continued.