New Delhi, Jul 29 (NVI): Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Wednesday virtually inaugurated the country’s first dedicated Department of Military Medicine at the Command Hospital (Central Command) in Lucknow, describing it as a major step towards strengthening the operational medical preparedness of the Armed Forces.
Established under the Directorate General of Medical Services (Army), the department will function as the principal academic, research and doctrinal hub for the Armed Forces Medical Services (AFMS), with a focus on enhancing combat medical readiness, advancing research and developing specialised expertise for future battlefields and humanitarian operations.
Addressing the inauguration, Singh said the strength and morale of the armed forces form the foundation of a nation’s sovereignty and progress, expressing confidence that the new department would provide advanced medical support to troops and reinforce their confidence during operations.
He said the department would serve as a research and development hub to prepare the country for emerging threats arising from rapid technological advancements.
The department will focus on areas such as military trauma and damage control, combat psychiatry, environmental and operational medicine, military medical logistics, CBRNe medical response, emergency medicine, disaster medicine, humanitarian assistance and disaster relief (HADR), and research and data analytics.
Singh said the institution would also promote innovation in battlefield medicine through simulation-based training, telemedicine, prolonged field care and technology-driven medical decision support systems.
He emphasised the importance of preventive healthcare in maintaining combat readiness, advocating the use of artificial intelligence, wearable devices, predictive analytics and advanced diagnostics for real-time health monitoring and early detection of health risks among soldiers.
The Defence Minister said the department would create new opportunities for young Army doctors through specialised education and research in military medicine, while enhancing India’s standing in global medical research.
He expressed hope that the institution would evolve into a world-class Battlefield Medicine Research Centre and strengthen India’s preparedness for future defence and national security challenges.
Chief of the Army Staff General Dhiraj Seth, Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh, Vice Chief of Army Staff Lt Gen Sandeep Jain, Director General Armed Forces Medical Services Surgeon Vice Admiral Arti Sarin and other senior military and government officials attended the event.(NVI)
