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AFCME - Departments
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AIR FORCE CENTRAL MEDICAL ESTABLISHMENT
ISO 9001-2000 Certified |
DEPARTMENTS OF AFCMEDepartment of Medicine & Cardiology
 The Medical Division is manned by the above two Physicians and eight airmen. It is the hub center of all medical examinations and boards at AFCME. It is from here that all personnel reporting for medical exams / boards are routed to various departments viz. Pathology, Radiology, Eye, ENT & Psychiatry. On completion of evaluation, the documents are finally compiled, checked and dispatched from the medical division for final clearance to the AOC's office. It has a reception for service aircrew manned by the SNCO i/c, reception & medical examination room for civil aircrew (for initial & renewal licence exam), separate waiting rooms for senior officers, service aircrew, civil aircrew and candidates, chambers for the Cardiologist and Medical Specialist, ECG room and respiratory laboratory with lung function testing facilities.
 The Department of Cardiology has a Cardiologist proficient in invasive cardiology work up that he conducts at Army Hospital (R&R). In addition there is a state of the art non-invasive cardiac lab which includes two computerized treadmills for stress test, two color Doppler 2D-Echocardiography machines along with trans-esophageal probe, 24 hour ambulatory ECG recorder (Holter) and two 24 hour ambulatory blood pressure monitors. The center also has a large ECG library wherein the ECG records of all military aviators, assessed at AFCME are maintained.
Department of Pathology
 The department has a state of art modern laboratory, which is manned by one pathologist and seven lab assistants. Its main role is to carry out investigations for all personnel reporting to AFCME for their medical evaluations as well as all OPD cases coming from the AF Polyclinic being conducted at SMC, WAC (U). The Lab is equipped with the following: -
- Haematology: An eight-parameter Coulter haematology analyser and a MS-9 fully automated haematology unit for estimation of haemogram & blood counts. The latter can analyse eighteen parameters at a time, each sample taking only one minute for the computerised report to be finalised.
- Biochemistry: This sub department has a RA-50 Chemistry Analyser which can perform up to 52 different types of biochemical tests, depending on the availability of the kits. The department also has a state of art XL-600 Automated Chemistry Analyser, which can analyse samples from 50 patients for 50 different parameters at a time. Each test taking only 10 seconds, thus drastically cutting down on the time for analysis of blood samples to a very minimum. The lab also has an AVL Electrolysis Analyser for estimation of serum electrolytes.
Also available is a Columbus Micro plate Washer for ELISA tests, an ELISA reader and ELISA kits for estimation of PSA and IgG and IgM antibodies for Dengue. These tests were earlier being carried out only at AH (R&R) and have been recently started at AFCME. In addition cancer screening tests in the form of cervical smears and fine needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) of lumps are also being conducted.
Department of Radiology
 AFCME has a well-equipped Radiology Department, which is manned by one Radiologist and four X-Ray assistants. Its main role is to carry out medical evaluation of the aircrew, both military and civil. This includes chest skiagram of all candidates. X-rays of the complete spine of all candidates undergoing medical examination for military aircrew duties, Ultrasonography of abdomen of all female candidates, and all other investigations as deemed necessary by the concerned specialist. In addition OPD cases of all personnel and their families posted to Delhi area and referred by the AF Polyclinic are also evaluated at AFCME.
The department is equipped with a Seimens X-Ray machine, an ultrasonography machine, Automatic Film Processor, a Multiformat Camera and a Portable USG Machine presently being used in the Gynaecology OPD of the AF Polyclinic. In 2005 more than 2000 chest X-Rays, 1400 bone X-Rays and 2000 ultrasonographies were carried out. In addition to this more than 20-25 X- Ray films from Air Force Units in NCR region are reported per day. All protection measures in the form of blood count every quarter for all X-Ray Assts and regular monitoring of the TLD badge from Defence Laboratory Jodhpur are strictly adhered to. The up-gradation proposed for the department is a mammography machine and new generation ultrasound machine. A latest version mammography machine is likely to be installed in the near future.
Department of Ophthalmology
The department has two ophthalmologists and four optometrists. It has modern and specialized equipment for ophthalmic evaluation and also undertakes anterior segment microsurgical procedures like intra ocular lens implantation, surgery for glaucoma, pterygium and other anterior segment disorders of the eye. These are performed in a fully functional operation theatre of the Station Medicare Center of Western Air Command. A contact lens clinic is also setup within the department.
Department of Otorhinolaryngology
This department has two ENT surgeons as above and four medical assistants, who are trained ORAs & Audiology & Speech therapy. The department undertakes the evaluation of ENT disorders and has the additional facilities for digital audiometry, in a sound protected room, speech audiometry against backgrounds noise, calorie test and tymphanometry. Oto-microscopic and minor ENT surgical procedures including diagnostic sinus endoscopic procedures are also undertaken. The department in addition provides specialist support to a full fledged speech therapy center functioning at the Air Force Golden Jubilee Institute, with latest speech therapy equipment comprising group hearing aid and loop induction system.
Department of Neuropsychiatry
EEG Lab
This department has four Psychiatrytrained medical assistants. It has a well-equipped Electro Encephalo Graph (EEG) lab with a state of the art digital EEG machine and also has facility for psychological testing of IQ and assessing mentally challenged children. In liaison with the clinical Psychologist at the Air Force Golden Jubilee Institute, personality and aptitude assessment is being carried out when indicated for the care of special children.
Department of Aircrew Reception / Medical Boards & Stats
This Department consisting of one medical officer, 07 airmen 7 03 civilian clerks.
Aircrew reception: Receives all Air Officers, Officers (Aircrew), Airmen (Aircrew), Civil Pilots, various candidates of Army Aviation, Naval Aviation, Coast Guard Aviation and PJI those who report for annual medical, initial medical and review medical board. There are two separate reception counters for the serving personnel and civil aircrew, respectively.
Serving Personnel counter: It is basically responsible for reception, registration and timely clearance of all Officers, Airmen & candidates and to help them at any stage at AFCME during the evaluation process.This section is responsible for final clearance once the evaluation is completed and the files are then handed over to Medical Stats for completion of the medical board and further disposal.
Civil Aircrew reception counter: This reception counter is responsible for attending to civil aircrew reporting for Initial or renewal Class I medical exam, for receiving, storing & dispatching of PMRs.
Online Medical Records: Civil aircrew medical records are available on onlineand the summary is taken out one day prior to their Medical Examination.
Medical Boards & Stats: This section is the custodian of the personal files of all serving officers, whose medical were conducted at the time of entry in the Air Force. In addition, personal files of aviators from Army, Navy and serving aircrew of Air Force (Officers and other ranks i.e., Flt Gnr, Flt Engr, Flt Sig, PJI etc) are also held in this section. A total approx 7000 files are being maintained and kept in the record room chronologically so that these are quickly located as and when required.
All medical documents after clearance by President, AFCME are routed to this Section for further action. The entire work is time bound and all efforts are made to finish the task in prescribed time limit.
No 3 Aero-Medical Unit
Anthropometric Platform
This unit functions along with AFCME in evaluation of aircrew and candidates who are selected for flying duties. It has an 'Anthropometric platform', which is used for evaluation of candidates for flying duties in the Armed Forces as measurement of thigh length, leg length and sitting height which are mandatory requirements prior to clearing them. It also has a Decompression chamber that is used for evaluation of aircrew undergoing medical board at AFCME.
Flying modern airplanes requires a high degree of physical and mental fitness to withstand the stresses that are placed on the aircrew. It is imperative, therefore, the utmost diligence be exercised in medical examinations and reviews of air crews so that the combat potential of the Armed Forces as well as the flying potential of Civil Aviation industry is not depleted and at the same time flight safety is not compromised. Towards the fulfillment of this objective, AFCME continues to render yeoman service and has virtually become the custodian of medical safety in aviation for the country as a whole.
CIVIL AIRCREW CERTIFICATION
Introduction: - Rule 39 B of the Aircraft Rules 1937, CAR (Civil Aviation Requirements) deals with the medical standards of flight crew. It stipulates that no licence or rating required for any of the personnel of the aircraft shall be issued or renewed unless the applicant undergoes a medical examination with an approved medical authority and satisfies the medical standards as notified by Director General of Civil Aviation (DGCA).
Medical Assessment Rules: - The categories are Class I, II & III medical assessments. However, CAR stipulates that a class I medical assessment is mandatory for the following categories: -
- Commercial Pilot's Licence (Aeroplane & Helicopter)
- Senior Commercial Pilot's Licence
- Senior Commercial Pilot's Licence (Aeroplane)
- Airline Transport Pilot's Licence (Aeroplane & Helicopter)
- Flight Navigator's Licence
- Student Flight Navigator's Licence
- Flight Engineer's Licence
- Student Flight Engineer's Licence
- Private Pilot's Licence (Aeroplane & Helicopter)
The CAR stipulates that an applicant for a medical assessment shall undergo a medical examination based on the following requirements: -
- Physical and Mental Requirements
- Visual and colour perception Requirements
- Hearing Requirements
The civil aviation authority has authorized the following centers, which are entrusted for the purpose of CLASS 1 medical assessment: -
- AFCME, New Delhi
- IAM, Bangalore
- MEC, Jorhat
Procedure: - After having undergone a Class II Medical Exam, conducted by medical practitioners authorised by DGCA, an applicant can then seek an appointment for a Class I medical examination. In case a Class II medical is not done the applicant will be required to produce a No Objection Certificate (NOC) which has to be issued by the DGCA. This is to be accompanied by a cockpit clearance certificate.
The request for appointment for Class I medical examination to be made directly with the concerned medical examination centre along with a request to DGCA to forward the Past Medical Records (PMRs) to the concerned medical examination centre.
Fees: - Applicants are required to pay the following minimum fees at the medical examination centre prior to the commencement of the medical examination.
Class I - Initial Issue of Licence - Rs. 1990/-*
Class I - Renewal of Licence - - Rs. 1000/-*
These are the standard rates, however extra fees will be charged for any special investigation, if carried out at the medical examination centre.
DGCA approved Medical Examination Centres for Class I Med Exam: -
|
Type of Medical Exam |
Centre |
| Initial Issue of Licence |
AFCME, New Delhi,
IAM, Bangalore |
| Every third year renewal and Every fifth six-monthly renewal |
AFCME, New Delhi,
IAM, Bangalore
MEC, Jorhat |
| Licences lapsed over 2 years |
AFCME, New Delhi,
IAM, Bangalore |
| After a period of unfitness |
AFCME, New Delhi
IAM, Bangalore
MEC, Jorhat
or any other centre at thediscretion of DGCA |
| Renewals not undergone med exam over 2 years |
AFCME, New Delhi
IAM, Bangalore
MEC, Jorhat |
| Renewals not undergone med exam for a period of ALTP - 30 months, CPL - 36 months |
AFCME, New Delhi
IAM, Bangalore |
| Special Med exam |
AFCME, New Delhi
IAM, Bangalore
MEC, Jorhat
or any other centre at thediscretion of DGCA |
| Renewal Med Exam Above 60 years of age |
AFCME, New Delhi
IAM, Bangalore |
| Appeal Medical Exams |
AFCME, New Delhi
IAM, Bangalore |
Other DGCA approved medical examination centres for the conditions, which are not listed above:
Senior Medical Officer, Air Force Station, Kanpur
Senior Medical Officer, Air Force Station, Lohegaon, Pune
Senior Medical Officer, Air Force Station, Cotton Green, Mumbai
Senior Medical Officer, Air Force Station, Tambaram, Chennai
Senior Medical Officer, Air Force Station, Barrackpore, Kolkata
Senior Medical Officer, Air Force Station, Agra, U.P
Senior Medical Officer, Air Force Station, Chandigarh
Medical Requirements for professional pilots aged between 60 - 65 years Six Monthly: -
Blood Hb% TLC DLC, Urine RE/ME & pure tone audiometry
Annual: - Blood Sugar F/PP, HbA1C, Lipid profile & TMT / 2D Echo (for post CABG / PTCA / M.I cases)
Once in 2 years: - TMT, MPI Scan (for post CABG / PTCA / M.I cases), Serum Creatinine, LFT, Serum PSA & USG (Abd & Pelvis)
1st renewal at 60 yrs: - X-Ray Chest & 2D Echo report
Once in 5 years: - CART
Apart from the above, any other investigation will be carried out at the discretion of the medical assessment centre, when clinically indicated.
PROCEDURE FOR APPEAL MEDICAL EXAMINATION
In the event of a pilot being declared temporarily medically unfit for more than three months at a stretch or in aggregate or permanently unfit for issue or renewal of the license, the applicant may appeal b the DGCA for a review of the medical assessment within a period of 90 days from the date of applicant having been declared unfit.
The appeal shall be addressed to the Director General of Civil Aviation, Technical Centre, Opposite Safdarjung Airport, New Delhi - 110 003 (Attention: Director of Operations - Training & Licensing). The appeal shall besentby registered post with acknowledgement due or by Speed Post or through a reputed courier company or may be delivered in person to the Receipt & Despatch Section in the O/o DGCA and obtain a receipt for the same. The appeal must be accompanied by the following documents:
- All documents in original obtained by the applicant from the reputed medical Institute / Specialist clearly certifying that the applicant is fit to fly aircraft, as a pilot or co-pilot with specific reference to the cause of unfitness stated in the medical assessment issued by the office of DGCA. The medical practitioner/specialist certifying the fitness in such a case should give sound reasons justifying his opinion
- Reports of the medical examination and results of investigations, in original, conducted by the medical practitioner/specialist giving the aforesaid certificate
The appeal shall be considered by DGCA, and if found justified, it will be referred to DGMS (Air). If adequate medical evidence is provided for medical review, DGMS (Air) may recommend to DGCA an appeal/review medical examination at any place and may also ask Dr any such investigation/report or opinion of any specialist to determine the fitness of the applicant. In case the appeal for medical review is not found justified, DGMS (Air) will inform DGCA about the same giving the reasons and the pilot shall be informed accordingly.
If the medical review is accepted, it shall be carried out at the centre specified for the purpose. The fresh medical examination reports will be considered to assess the medical fitness of the candidate. The decision of the DGMS (Air) on behalf of DGCA shall be final. The result thereof shall be intimated by the Medical Board to the O/o DGCA and the final assessment shall be issued accordingly by DGCA.
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