Vice Admiral Sameer Saxena, AVSM, NM, Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief (FOC-in-C), Southern Naval Command, visited the School of Medical Assistants (SOMA) at INS Asvini on January 15, 2026, to review training standards and educational infrastructure for medical sailors of the Indian Navy.
During the visit, the Naval Commander inspected various training facilities, including the advanced Simulation Centre, which reflects the institution’s strong focus on delivering cutting-edge, technology-driven education to healthcare professionals. He was briefed on the curriculum, training methodology, and the role of simulation-based learning in preparing medical personnel for operational and emergency scenarios.
Vice Admiral Saxena interacted with students and instructors, emphasising the critical importance of rigorous, realistic, and continuous training in equipping medical sailors to meet real-world challenges at sea and ashore. He highlighted that well-trained medical personnel are a vital pillar of operational readiness and force sustainability.
The visit underlined the Indian Navy’s emphasis on high-quality medical education and professional excellence, reaffirming SOMA’s key role in maintaining the highest standards of healthcare support across the fleet.
