Dr. M. Srinivas, AIIMS Director, Visits AFMC Pune, Emphasizes Role of Technology and Specialized Medicine in Military Healthcare

Pune, 30th December 2024: Dr. M. Srinivas, the Director of AIIMS New Delhi, recently visited the Armed Forces Medical College (AFMC) in Pune, where he engaged with the college’s distinguished faculty as well as postgraduate and undergraduate students. His visit highlighted the significant contributions of AFMC in training medical professionals who serve the nation’s defence forces.

During his interaction, Dr. Srinivas commended the AFMC faculty for their excellence in shaping future doctors capable of providing high-quality healthcare to troops in various operational conditions. He remarked, “The training programs here equip our medical personnel with the expertise to deliver exceptional care, no matter how challenging the environment or terrain may be.”

Dr. Srinivas also focused on the unique medical challenges encountered by the Armed Forces, stressing the importance of specialized fields like Aviation Medicine, Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Nuclear (CBRN) Medicine, and Special Forces Medicine. “These areas of military medicine are not only critical but require ongoing innovation and cutting-edge expertise to keep pace with evolving needs,” he said.

As technology continues to transform the healthcare landscape, Dr. Srinivas pointed out its growing influence on military medicine. He specifically highlighted the role of telemedicine, wearable devices, Artificial Intelligence (AI), and Machine Learning (ML) as essential tools in advancing military healthcare. “These technological advancements will not only address the immediate needs of our Armed Forces but will also have a far-reaching impact on healthcare delivery in the civilian sector,” he noted. Dr. Srinivas also mentioned that innovations in trauma care, surgery, haemostatic agents, and emergency response, originally developed for military contexts, have already proven beneficial in civilian settings.

Encouraging students to stay dedicated to their research, Dr. Srinivas inspired them with a quote from the Bhagavad Gita:

“One who is unaffected by happiness or distress and remains steady in both is truly fit for liberation.”

He urged them to pursue their studies with unyielding focus and a selfless commitment to improving lives. “Your research has the potential to make a lasting impact, not only by advancing medical science but by alleviating human suffering,” he said.

The visit culminated with Lt. Gen. Sandeep Thareja, Director and Commandant of AFMC, presenting Dr. Srinivas with a memento as a token of appreciation. Expressing his gratitude, Lt. Gen. Thareja emphasized that the visit would pave the way for deeper collaborations between AIIMS and AFMC, ultimately advancing both healthcare and medical education. “This interaction marks the beginning of a promising partnership between our institutes, one that will strengthen our shared mission to elevate healthcare standards,” he added.