French Armed Forces Health Service

The French Defence Central Health Service ("Service de Santé des Armées" or SSA) is responsible for medical and sanitary support of the French Armed Forces and of all institutions placed under the authority of the French Ministry of Armed Forces. It is a joint service, and its central administration (Direction Centrale du Service de Santé des Armées, DCSSA) is under the direct control of the Chief of the defence staff (chef d'état-major des armées (CEMA)).

Its significant presence on French territory ensures adequate support for French operations in overseas theatres. It provides hospital care services, administers medicals for military personnel, and gives expertise in disease prevention, and medical, dental, pharmaceutical, paramedical and veterinary research and education.

Physicians and chemists receive initial training in Lyon and in Bordeaux until 2011. Then, they are sent to the Val de Grâce Hospital in Paris for applied training. Dentists and vets are recruited in the civilian labour market. The service also includes administrative and technical officers (OCTASSA), nurses (male and female) and paramedical staff.