Who is Lt Gen Sadhna Saxena Nair, First Woman Director General of Medical Services in Indian Army

New Delhi: Lt Gen Sadhna Saxena Nair on Thursday assumed the role of Director General Medical Services (Army), marking a historic milestone as the first woman to hold this esteemed position. Prior to this, Nair made history as the first woman to serve as DG of Hospital Services (Armed Forces) upon her promotion to the rank of Air Marshal.

Who Is Lt Gen Sadhna Saxena Nair? Her Distinguished Career and Academic Excellence

• Lt Gen Sadhna Saxena Nair graduated with distinction from the Armed Forces Medical College, Pune. 
• She was commissioned into the Army Medical Corps in December 1985. 
• She holds a Post Graduate degree in Family Medicine. 
• She has Diplomas in Maternal & Child Health and Health Care Management. 
• She completed a two-year training program in Medical Informatics at AIIMS, New Delhi. 
• She received training in Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Nuclear Warfare with the Israeli Defence Forces. 
• She studied Military Medical Ethics with the Swiss Armed Forces in Spiez. 
• She was the first woman Principal Medical Officer of the Western Air Command and Training Command in the Indian Air Force.

Notable Contributions and Recognitions

Lt Gen Nair has held several significant positions throughout her career, including being the first woman Principal Medical Officer of Western Air Command and Training Command in the Indian Air Force (IAF). She contributed as an expert member of the Dr Kasturirangan Committee, helping draft the medical education component of the National Education Policy. 

Her dedication and service have earned her numerous accolades, including the Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Western Air Command, and Chief of the Air Staff Commendations, as well as the prestigious Vishisht Seva Medal awarded by the President of India.