Latest news with #AFMC
Indian Express
2 days ago
- Health
- Indian Express
At AFMC's iconic War Surgery Museum, a glimpse into how surgeons fought to save lives of frontline soldiers
Are you curious about the life of an Indian Army surgeon in active combat, and the challenges they face on the warfront? If so, just step into the War Surgery Museum at the Armed Forces Medical College in Pune where you can walk past Samurai swords gifted by the Japanese to Indian doctors who treated them despite being the enemy during World War II, shrapnels from the 1971 Indo-Pak conflict, and taken out of the patients at 7 Air Force hospital, Kanpur. Other exhibits at this iconic and one of the oldest museums, include equipment from 60 Parachute Field Hospital – the Indian Army's only airborne medical unit, a 17th century painting depicting the battle between Chhatrapati Shivaji's forces and Rustam Zaman who commanded Adil Shah's army in the Battle of Kolhapur to and even a war diary that dates back to 1912. 'For young medical graduates curious about the role of army surgeons, this is the ideal place to begin,' Director-General Armed Forces Medical Services Surgeon Vice Admiral Arti Sarin said while on a recent visit to Pune. She was accompanied by Lt Gen Pankaj Rao, Commandant, AFMC, Air Commodore (Dr) Anurakshat Gupta, Head, Department of Surgery, AFMC, Col Jafar Husain, Professor of Surgery, AFMC, and others. 'Whether it is during conflict or in peacetime operations like disaster relief, medical units are not just reactive but proactive in ensuring our soldiers receive cutting-edge care,' Surgeon Vice Admiral Sarin said. She added that the museum showcases the vital role of the war surgeon and brings to light their critical contributions in saving lives. 'The collection includes a war diary of the 3rd Indian Field Ambulance, which was deployed in Mesopotamia during WWI. It was donated by the British High Commission and records daily medical activities from 1915 to 1916. There are medical instruments dating back to 1917- some by James Wise and Company and even the personal collection of Captain P B Bardhan, who started his career in the British Royal Army Medical Corps and later served as Commandant, AFMC. The mess jacket, silver medicine weights, and other memorabilia embody the spirit of military medicine,' elaborated Col Husain of AFMC on some of the collections that have been meticulously preserved. The officer also explained the notable role of the 60 Parachute Field Hospital and how a mobile surgical team parachutes behind enemy lines, swiftly setting up a fully functional field hospital complete with an operating theatre, radiology unit, laboratory facilities, and even a patient ward. Recently, 60 Para had gone to Myanmar during Operation Brahma, Turkey during Operation Dost, Nepal during Op Maitri, and Indonesia during Op Samudra Maitri, providing a unique experience of humanitarian assistance and disaster relief. From the imposing mannequins of 'plague doctors' who constantly chewed garlic and used primitive masks in the form of a bird's beak way back in 1619 to the well-defined personal protective equipment worn by modern-day doctors during Covid-19 pandemic, an array of posters, computer printed charts, scroll boards and kiosks on different aspects of public health define South East Asia's largest public health museum at Pune's Armed Forces Medical College. This museum has served as an invaluable teaching aid and draws students from across the country. In its new 'avatar', the museum has a 'pandemic' gallery and another on `lifestyle diseases' that is in sync with the rising importance of non-communicable diseases. Different aspects of military public health have been professionally displayed with a new model for high-altitude health. An innovative 3D classroom can be used to screen educational videos and for regular tutorials. A huge wall depicts a 'timeline' of the evolution of public health as a concept and discipline in the world and India. 'The museum over the years has been an invaluable teaching aid and has been upgraded many times to keep it contemporary,' DGAFMS Surgeon Vice Admiral Arti Sarin said during her visit. According to college authorities, undergraduate and postgraduate students from different medical colleges and other visitors from all over the country make special trips to the museum. Started by Lt Col J Rice in 1944 at Babina,Jhansi district in UP, it was shifted to a government premises near Pune University in 1948 and then to the Army School of Physical Training. In 1958, the museum was relocated to AFMC and modelled on the lines of the Wellcome Trust Museum of the History of Medicine, University College of London. The then AFMC Commandant Air Marshal CK Ranjan had asked for a plan as he had envisaged a complete revamp – to change the structure which he had been seeing since his days as a medical student. It was a formidable task that required a total restructuring. While the museum was modernised to make it contemporary almost continuously, the basic structure of the main museum was preserved – that is, the herringbone structure and the display panels. The high ceiling was retained with its heritage fans to give it a grand look. A huge wall in the grand hall of the museum depicts a 'timeline' of the evolution of public health as a concept and discipline in the world and India. Sections on pertinent health aspects of the Army, Navy, and the Air Force have been included, especially post-deployment of troops at Siachen glacier, the highest battlefield in the world, when health problems of high altitude and extreme cold were the most important issues. Over the years, this iconic museum has become a 'must-visit' place in the college for its sheer vastness and uniqueness. On a recent visit, Dr Rajiv Bahl, Director-General of the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), applauded the department of community medicine's effort that has made it so engaging for the medical student. 'The passion, enthusiasm, and innovation in creating the galleries and museum are awesome. I wish every medical college in India had a museum like this,' Bahl wrote in the visitor's book.
Time of India
7 days ago
- Health
- Time of India
AFMS exploring drone use to deliver blood, medicines in hilly areas: Surgeon Vice Admiral Arti Sarin
Pune: The Armed Forces Medical Services is exploring the use of drone technology to deliver blood bags, medicines, and other medical supplies in hilly and hard-to-reach areas, Director General of AFMS , Surgeon Vice Admiral Arti Sarin, said on Saturday. She was speaking on the sidelines of a commissioning ceremony for five medical cadets at the Armed Forces Medical College (AFMC) in Pune. Vice Admiral Sarin said the AFMS is integrating modern technologies like telemedicine , Artificial Intelligence (AI), point-of-care devices, and drones to strengthen healthcare delivery. "We are looking at using drone technology for the supply of blood bags, medicines, and other medical equipment. In fact, we are hoping for a day when even medical evacuations can be carried out using drones," she said. She added that the technology is currently being considered for a pilot project in remote and hilly terrains where access is challenging. "Such technology is already in use by non-military agencies," she said. AFMC Commandant Lt Gen Pankaj Rao said technological advancements are being adopted across the medical field, from prevention to treatment. Commenting on astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla, who is part of the commercial Axiom-4 mission to the International Space Station, Vice Admiral Sarin said AFMS is responsible for the health needs of all four astronauts in the mission. "The Institute of Aviation Medicine is providing primary healthcare in the US, and a Group Captain has been deployed in Houston, Texas, to look after the crew's health," she said. Later, AFMC said in a release that of the five medical cadets commissioned, one has been inducted into the Indian Air Force and four into the Indian Army. The release said that AFMC's commitment to facilitating "UG and PG research, innovation and training" is further reflected in its sustained collaborative efforts with other national and international institutions of repute. "This synergy has created an ecosystem conducive to revolutionary medical breakthroughs, making this college a centre of excellence in multi-dimensional medical education," it stated. It said that the medical institute has taken a pioneering leap in genetic diagnostics and therapy with its state-of-the-art Genome Sequencing Laboratory, equipped with cutting-edge Next-Generation Sequencing platforms. "The lab is designed to support advanced research in inherited diseases, oncology, transplant medicine, and reproductive health, enabling precise diagnosis of rare genetic disorders and molecular profiling of malignancies," it said. The college's Department of Medical Research and its Multi-disciplinary Research Unit have been instrumental in launching over a dozen molecular research projects, the release said. Other than research, AFMC has made medical simulation, replicating real-life scenarios, an essential part of its training curriculum, it added. PTI
Hindustan Times
7 days ago
- Health
- Hindustan Times
AFMS looking at drone use to supply blood bags, medicines in hilly areas: Official
Pune, The Armed Forces Medical Services is exploring the use of drone technology to deliver blood bags, medicines and other medical supplies in hilly and hard-to-reach areas, Director General of AFMS, Surgeon Vice Admiral Arti Sarin, has said. AFMS looking at drone use to supply blood bags, medicines in hilly areas: Official She also said the AFMS was responsible for the health requirements of all four astronauts currently part of the Axiom-4 mission to the International Space Station. Vice Admiral Sarin was speaking on Saturday on the sidelines of a commissioning ceremony for five medical cadets at the Armed Forces Medical College in Pune. She said the AFMS is integrating modern technologies like telemedicine, Artificial Intelligence , point-of-care devices, and drones to strengthen healthcare delivery. 'We are looking at using drone technology for the supply of blood bags, medicines, and other medical equipment. In fact, we are hoping for a day when even medical evacuations can be carried out using drones,' she said. The technology is currently being considered for a pilot project in remote and hilly terrains where access is challenging, she added. 'Such technology is already in use by non-military agencies,' she said. AFMC Commandant Lt Gen Pankaj Rao said technological advancements are being adopted across the medical field, from prevention to treatment. Commenting on astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla, who is part of the commercial Axiom-4 mission to the International Space Station, Vice Admiral Sarin said the AFMS is responsible for the health needs of all four astronauts in the mission. 'The Institute of Aviation Medicine is providing primary healthcare in the US, and a Group Captain has been deployed in Houston, Texas, to look after the crew's health,' she said. The AFMC in a release said of the five medical cadets commissioned, one has been inducted into the Indian Air Force and four into the Indian Army. The release said the AFMC's commitment to facilitating 'UG and PG research, innovation and training' is further reflected in its sustained collaborative efforts with other national and international institutions of repute. 'This synergy has created an ecosystem conducive to revolutionary medical breakthroughs, making this college a centre of excellence in multi-dimensional medical education,' it stated. The medical institute has taken a pioneering leap in genetic diagnostics and therapy with its state-of-the-art Genome Sequencing Laboratory, equipped with cutting-edge Next-Generation Sequencing platforms, the release said. 'The lab is designed to support advanced research in inherited diseases, oncology, transplant medicine, and reproductive health, enabling precise diagnosis of rare genetic disorders and molecular profiling of malignancies,' it said. The college's Department of Medical Research and its Multi-disciplinary Research Unit have been instrumental in launching over a dozen molecular research projects, the release said. Other than research, the AFMC has made medical simulation, replicating real-life scenarios, an essential part of its training curriculum, it added. This article was generated from an automated news agency feed without modifications to text.
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Business Standard
7 days ago
- Health
- Business Standard
'AFMS looking at drone use to supply blood bags, medicines in hilly areas'
The Armed Forces Medical Services is exploring the use of drone technology to deliver blood bags, medicines and other medical supplies in hilly and hard-to-reach areas, Director General of AFMS, Surgeon Vice Admiral Arti Sarin, has said. She also said the AFMS was responsible for the health requirements of all four astronauts currently part of the Axiom-4 mission to the International Space Station. Vice Admiral Sarin was speaking on Saturday on the sidelines of a commissioning ceremony for five medical cadets at the Armed Forces Medical College (AFMC) in Pune. She said the AFMS is integrating modern technologies like telemedicine, Artificial Intelligence (AI), point-of-care devices, and drones to strengthen healthcare delivery. We are looking at using drone technology for the supply of blood bags, medicines, and other medical equipment. In fact, we are hoping for a day when even medical evacuations can be carried out using drones, she said. The technology is currently being considered for a pilot project in remote and hilly terrains where access is challenging, she added. Such technology is already in use by non-military agencies, she said. AFMC Commandant Lt Gen Pankaj Rao said technological advancements are being adopted across the medical field, from prevention to treatment. Commenting on astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla, who is part of the commercial Axiom-4 mission to the International Space Station, Vice Admiral Sarin said the AFMS is responsible for the health needs of all four astronauts in the mission. The Institute of Aviation Medicine is providing primary healthcare in the US, and a Group Captain has been deployed in Houston, Texas, to look after the crew's health, she said. The AFMC in a release said of the five medical cadets commissioned, one has been inducted into the Indian Air Force and four into the Indian Army. The release said the AFMC's commitment to facilitating UG and PG research, innovation and training is further reflected in its sustained collaborative efforts with other national and international institutions of repute. This synergy has created an ecosystem conducive to revolutionary medical breakthroughs, making this college a centre of excellence in multi-dimensional medical education, it stated. The medical institute has taken a pioneering leap in genetic diagnostics and therapy with its state-of-the-art Genome Sequencing Laboratory, equipped with cutting-edge Next-Generation Sequencing platforms, the release said. The lab is designed to support advanced research in inherited diseases, oncology, transplant medicine, and reproductive health, enabling precise diagnosis of rare genetic disorders and molecular profiling of malignancies, it said. The college's Department of Medical Research and its Multi-disciplinary Research Unit have been instrumental in launching over a dozen molecular research projects, the release said. Other than research, the AFMC has made medical simulation, replicating real-life scenarios, an essential part of its training curriculum, it added.
India Today
02-07-2025
- Health
- India Today
India Today College Rankings 2025: 10 government medical colleges with lowest fees
The India Today Best Colleges Survey 2025 is out, and we have here a treasure trove for students dreaming of an MBBS degree without the crushing financial burden. If you're on the hunt for quality education in government medical colleges that won't burn a hole in your wallet, this list is your a look at the top 10 government medical colleges with the lowest total course fees across India, based on this year's India Today College Rankings:advertisementRank 1. ARMED FORCES MEDICAL COLLEGE (AFMC), PUNE – Rs 0Yes, you read that right. AFMC doesn't charge students tuition fees at all. Instead, students receive a stipend, and in return, they serve in the Armed Forces after graduation. Known for its discipline, academic excellence and rigorous selection, AFMC is one of the most sought-after institutions in 2. AIIMS JODHPUR – Rs 3,366This AIIMS is fast becoming a preferred destination for medical aspirants in Rajasthan and beyond. It has earned a reputation for its state-of-the-art infrastructure and consistently high academic 3. AIIMS DELHI – Rs 3,728The most iconic name in India's medical education landscape, AIIMS Delhi combines world-class research with excellent clinical exposure, all at a staggeringly low fee. Entry is tough, but totally worth 4. AIIMS RAIPUR – Rs 4,256Another rising star from the AIIMS family, this institute in Chhattisgarh has been focusing on holistic development, digital learning, and modern 5. AIIMS BHUBANESWAR – Rs 5,856advertisementCentrally located and equipped with an expanding patient base for clinical learning, AIIMS Bhubaneswar is ideal for students in the eastern belt of India. Rank 5. AIIMS BHOPAL – Rs 5,856With lush greenery around and a sharp academic focus inside, AIIMS Bhopal is one of the top institutes that balances education and experience at a great 5. AIIMS PATNA – Rs 5,856Catering to students in Bihar and nearby states, AIIMS Patna offers solid infrastructure and practical training while keeping costs incredibly 8. AIIMS RISHIKESH – Rs 8,950Located near the foothills of the Himalayas, AIIMS Rishikesh is a blend of peaceful surroundings and advanced medical 9. MAULANA AZAD MEDICAL COLLEGE (MAMC), DELHI – Rs 11,660Affiliated with Delhi University, MAMC is known for its rich history, high patient inflow, and competitive edge. It's often the first choice for NEET toppers who don't get 10. JIPMER, PUDUCHERRY – Rs 36,140Though slightly higher in fees than others on this list, JIPMER is still extremely affordable compared to private medical colleges. It's known for a strong academic culture and campus THE INDIA TODAY BEST COLLEGES SURVEY 2025advertisementThis year, 1,865 colleges from across India participated in the India Today Group's 29th annual ranking, conducted in collaboration with Marketing & Development Research Associates (MDRA) since over 58,000 colleges in the country, the survey is designed to simplify decision-making for students and parents. Colleges were ranked across 14 major streams, and since 2023, subject-wise rankings have also been introduced based on objective data submitted by the deeper transparency, parameter-wise scores have been included to help you dig into what each college excels at—be it academic excellence, infrastructure, or placement out the full rankings for the India Today Group's Best Colleges Survey 2025 here.- Ends
