Raksha Mantri Trophy for the Best and Second Best Command Hospitals of the Armed Forces Medical Services (AFMS) for the year 2022 was presented by Director General Armed Forces Medical Services and Senior Colonel Comdt, Army Medical Corps Lt Gen Daljit Singh on 19 Mar 2024 in New Delhi.  The Command Hospital (Southern Command), Pune and the Command Hospital (Central Command), Lucknow were judged as the Best and Second Best Command Hospital for the year 2022 respectively.          

The DGAFMS, while complimenting the two hospitals on their outstanding performance, acknowledged the commendable services being rendered by the AFMS, ranging from combat medical support to troops deployed in operational roles to state of the art healthcare services at mid-zonal, zonal and tertiary care hospitals of the AFMS.                       

 Lt Gen Daljit Singh emphasized the preparedness of the AFMS to meet all challenges in providing medical support both during operations and in peace time as well as when called upon to provide humanitarian assistance and disaster relief. DGAFMS reiterated the resolute commitment of the AFMS to strive for professional excellence at all times. He further went on to state that from year 2023 onwards, Army Institute of Cardio-Thoracic Sciences (AICTS), Pune and Base Hosp Delhi Cantt will also participate in the competition. 

The award ceremony was attended by the DGsMS, DCIDS (Med), DG (Org & Pers) AFMS, DGHS (AF), Sr Conslt (Med), MG Med, HQ Delhi Area and Sr Conslt (Surg).

The Raksha Mantri Trophy was instituted in 1989 to recognize excellence in healthcare services provided by Armed Forces Hospitals of the AFMS and to foster a spirit of healthy competition among them.  A selection committee headed by an AFMS officer of the rank of Lt Gen/equivalent, recommends hospitals for the award each year via a comprehensive selection process based on objective performance indicators assessed during on-site visits to the hospitals.

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ABB/Anand/KB