Pune, 30 January 2025

The 73rd Armed Forces Medical Conference, ARMEDiCON 2025, concluded successfully at the prestigious Armed Forces Medical College (AFMC), Pune. Held from January 28 to 30, 2025, this landmark event brought together a remarkable assembly of healthcare professionals from the Army, Navy, and Air Force, alongside distinguished civilian experts. The conference served as a dynamic platform to discuss cutting-edge healthcare research, explore emerging trends, and deliberate on policy imperatives pivotal to the Armed Forces Medical Services (AFMS).

  

The event was inaugurated on January 28 by Surgeon Vice Admiral Arti Sarin, AVSM, VSM, Director General Armed Forces Medical Services (DGAFMS). Eminent dignitaries who graced the occasion included:

• Lt Gen Sadhna S Nair, AVSM, VSM, DGMS (Army) and Senior Colonel Commandant, Army Medical Corps.
• Surg VAdm Kavita Sahai, SM, VSM, DGMS (Navy).
• Lt Gen Vineet Sharma, AVSM, VSM, DGDS & Colonel Commandant, Army Dental Corps.
• Air Mshl MS Sridhar, AVSM, DCIDS (Medical).
• Lt Gen Shankar Narayan, PVSM, NM, VSM, Commandant, Army Hospital (R&R).
• Surg VAdm Anupam Kapur, NM, DGHS (AF).
• Lt Gen Shivinder Singh, AVSM, Commandant, AMC Center & College. (Online)
• Lt Gen Bhupesh Kumar Goyal, AVSM, VSM, DG Org & Pers. (Online)

 

The inaugural keynote address was delivered by Lt Gen Madhuri Kanitkar, PVSM, AVSM, VSM (Retd), Vice Chancellor of MUHS, Nashik, and an esteemed alumna of AFMC Pune. Her insights into healthcare leadership and innovation set the tone for the conference.

 

AFMC’s legacy of training exceptional medical professionals was celebrated during the event, with award ceremony recognizing outstanding achievements of the officers and men in various professional examinations. In addition, the Medical Journal Armed Forces India (MJAFI), a cornerstone of medical research since 1945, recognized excellence in scientific writing by honouring the best paper and reviewer.

The conference highlighted groundbreaking research through institutional and collaborative projects in diverse medical disciplines. Researchers driving innovation were felicitated for their contributions. Prestigious awards such as the Chief of Army Staff Award, Chief of Naval Staff Award, and Chief of Air Staff Award were conferred.

 

This year’s MJAFI Oration, delivered by Prof. Rohit Srivastava, Vigyan Shri and Himanshu Patel Chair Professor, IIT Mumbai, captivated audiences with its focus on “Affordable Healthcare Technologies for India.”

In a significant development, the DGAFMS inaugurated the DHR-ICMR Advanced Molecular Oncology Diagnostic Services (DIAMOnDS) Centre, a cutting-edge molecular oncopathology lab in presence of the senior dignitaries of the AFMS.

Dr. Rajiv Bahl, Secretary, Department of Health Research and Director General, ICMR, delivered an insightful online address during the conference, on possibilities of collaboration between AFMS and the various ICMR agencies.

Eminent civilian experts enhanced the dialogue with thought-provoking guest lectures. Highlights included:

• Dr. Ashutosh Nath Aggarwal, PGIMER Chandigarh, on “Evidence-Based Medicine – The Way Forward.”
• Dr. Rajiv Sarin, ACTREC, Tata Memorial Centre, Mumbai, on “Deciphering Cancer Genetics in South Asians to Improve Cure and Prevention.”

The Armed Forces Medical Academic Committee (AFMAC) meeting, chaired by the DGAFMS, underscored the commitment to advancing training infrastructure and meeting future healthcare needs. A special session titled “Research in AFMS – Way Forward” showcased innovations by the AFMS, spearheaded by AFMC’s Department of Medical Research, Armed Forces Center for Computational Medicine (AFCCM), Health Technology Assessment Resource Center and the Molecular Biology Lab.  

Interactive initiatives such as the Yodha Rakshak Bachav Kit Challenge fostered grassroots innovation, while demonstrations of Medical Logistics Drones and the Naval Hospital Health Information Management System showcased technological advancements.

Undergraduate training and community engagement were showcased in the special session on UG research. Participation of Medical Cadets in research and outreach projects like SIMPLe, SMILE, and Sickle Cell Elimination Mission highlighted their involvement in addressing public health challenges, fostering hands-on learning.

In her closing address, the DGAFMS commended the delegates for their relentless dedication and reiterated the AFMS’s unwavering commitment to excellence. She shared her vision for a progressive, empathetic, and innovative healthcare system that meets organizational and national needs.

The conference concluded as a beacon of collaboration, innovation, and learning, reaffirming the AFMS’s pivotal role in shaping the future of military and national healthcare. The DGAFMS congratulated Lt Gen Sandeep Thareja, SM, VSM**, Director & Commandant, AFMC, and Maj Gen Giriraj Singh, Dean & Deputy Commandant, AFMC, for their exceptional leadership and guidance in organizing the event.

    

ARMEDiCON 2025 stood as a testament to the synergy of academia, administration, and research in the AFMS, laying a strong foundation for meeting the healthcare challenges of tomorrow for the Armed Forces and the Country.

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ShilpaP/DY

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