Latest news with #ArmedForcesMedicalServices
Time of India
13-07-2025
- 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
13-07-2025
- 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
13-07-2025
- 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.
Indian Express
12-07-2025
- Health
- Indian Express
Exploring use of drones to deliver critical medical supplies: DGAFMS
The Armed Forces Medical Services is exploring the use of drone technology on a pilot basis in delivering critical supplies, such as blood and medicines. It has planned a pilot initiative in challenging hilly terrain. 'We are incorporating technology like telemedicine, using point of care devices to ensure quick medical assistance, especially in remote areas and also help evacuate patients from the points of injury to health care. To enable quicker medical assistance, we are looking at the use of drones for the supply of blood and medicines on a pilot basis in hilly, difficult terrains,' Surg Vice Admiral Arti Sarin, Director General, Armed Forces Medical Services, said on Saturday. Regarding medical evacuation via drones, the DGAFMS said it was not yet a reality, but was hopeful about this becoming a promising future possibility. Admiral Sarin was in Pune on Saturday at the Armed Forces Medical College (AFMC). She was the reviewing officer of the commissioning ceremony of medical cadets in the Indian Armed Forces. Of the five cadets commissioned, one has been inducted into the Indian Air Force and four into the Indian Army. While speaking with media persons on the sidlines of the event, Admiral Sarin also spoke about how research work was in progress. 'MoUs have been signed with IIT Chennai, IIT Mumbai and others. We are also actively working on areas like sports medicine – mainly sports injury prevention and sleep medicine,' Admiral Sarin said. According to the DGAFMS, it will be important to leverage sports medicine specialists and emerging technologies to reduce injuries during training and operations, thereby preserving manpower and maintaining the fitness of soldiers. 'Armed Forces Medical Services are mandated to look after the troops 24/7 for their health and we continue to do that with dedication and commitment. We are combat ready, credible and cohesive. Call us at any time, we are ready,' Admiral Sarin said. She also narrated the case of Major Bachwala Rohit, a gynaecologist, who was lauded after he helped a pregnant woman deliver a baby at Jhansi railway station. Sarin also spoke about the success of Early Intervention Centres and how they were benefiting children with neurodevelopmental disorders of soldiers, sailors and airmen and helping boost their morale. The Armed Forces Medical Services, as part of the Gaganyaan mission, is involved in addressing the healthcare needs of the astronauts. 'A dedicated team, trained through rigorous and meticulous preparation, is in place. There are teams from Centre for Advanced Research- Space Psychology at the Institute of Aerospace Medicine(IAM) , Bengaluru to address other needs. Experiments are underway and there will be a lot of learnings. Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla's experience about the Axiom-4 Space mission, including effects of microgravity in space, will be crucial,' Admiral Sarin said. Armed Forces Medical College has set up its state-of-the-art Genome Sequencing Laboratory, equipped with cutting-edge Next-Generation Sequencing (NGS) 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,' Lt Gen Pankaj Rao, Commandant, AFMC said. The college's Department of Medical Research and multi-disciplinary research unit has also been instrumental in launching over a dozen molecular research projects. The projects at DMR also encompass epigenetics in diabetes, microRNA expression in various diseases, gene polymorphisms in cancer and autoimmune disorders. 'This facility will not only serve the Armed Forces but also contribute to the broader medical community through groundbreaking research and improved diagnostics,' Surgeon Vice Admiral Sarin said. She also added that AFMC has made medical simulation an essential part of its training curriculum at all levels with a vision to improve skills and understanding towards imparting holistic care. 'These simulators replicate real-life scenarios, allowing students to practice advanced life trauma support, basic and advanced cardiac life support, surgical, obstetric and laparoscopic procedures in a controlled environment,' Admiral Sarin added. Anuradha Mascarenhas is a journalist with The Indian Express and is based in Pune. A senior editor, Anuradha writes on health, research developments in the field of science and environment and takes keen interest in covering women's issues. With a career spanning over 25 years, Anuradha has also led teams and often coordinated the edition. ... Read More
Time of India
04-07-2025
- Health
- Time of India
From Luck to Protocol: India's Emergency Care Gets Structure and the Golden Hour Its Due
New Delhi: Emergency care in India is no longer a waiting game. It's transforming into a fast, tech-enabled, and protocol-driven system that puts the patient at the center. From trained ER doctors managing critical trauma independently to AI-assisted triage and ambulance alerts triggering in-hospital prep, the change is sweeping. What once relied on luck and specialist availability is now structured, timely, and increasingly seamless even in tier 2 and 3 cities. The golden hour is finally getting the urgency it deserves, informed top experts in emergency medicine . Speaking at ETHealthworld's inaugural FutureMedX Summit during a compelling panel discussion titled 'Revolutionizing Emergency Care: Patient-Centric Approaches in Trauma and Critical Care', experts addressed how emergency care in India is evolving from a fragmented, protocol-driven system to a more integrated, tech-enabled, and patient-centric approach. The session saw participation from Dr. Deepak Agrawal , Professor, Neurosurgery , AIIMS New Delhi; Dr. (Prof) Ajay Bahl, Chairperson and HOD, Emergency Medicine, Sir Ganga Ram Hospital; Dr. Sushant Chhabra , Cluster Head, Emergency Medicine, Manipal Hospitals North-West Region; and Dr. Sachin Chaudhry from the Armed Forces Medical Services shared their views. Moderated by Vikas Dandekar , Editor (Pharma & Healthcare), The Economic Times. Opening the session by highlighting the radical transformation in India's emergency care landscape over the past decade , Dr Agrawal said, 'Earlier, emergency departments across India were staffed by Casualty Medical Officers (CMOs) who were not specifically trained in emergency medicine. They could be orthopedic surgeons, trauma surgeons, or anesthetists. The most significant shift has been the emergence of dedicated emergency medicine departments staffed by trained professionals." According to Dr Agrawal, emergency care has evolved from mere triage-based systems to more holistic, protocol-based interventions. 'Today, emergency physicians manage the ABCs—airway, breathing, circulation—and initiate diagnostics like CT scans, with specialists arriving later in the care chain. This has made emergency care more consistent and less dependent on chance,' he explained. Underlining the increasing use of AI and machine learning in emergency settings, he said, 'We've installed cameras that use object detection to track critical steps—like when intubation is done or when pulse oximetry is applied. This data generates key performance indicators on how long each life-saving step took, helping us refine our processes." Dr Chhabra elaborated on the structured emergency response system adopted by Manipal Hospitals. 'Our model is built on strong clinical leadership, integrated systems, and seamless transitions of care. We follow a 'closed ER and closed ICU' model, where patients are continuously managed by trained emergency medicine doctors from triage to discharge,' he said. He added that protocols like Code Stroke and Code STEMI—standardised across their network—enable quicker diagnoses and timely interventions. 'If a chest pain patient presents, we perform an ECG within five minutes and activate Code STEMI if necessary. This has drastically reduced door-to-balloon times and improved outcomes.' Manipal has also invested in robust pre-hospital care through the Manipal Ambulance Response Service (MARS). 'If our field paramedic suspects a stroke, the hospital is alerted in advance, enabling faster triage and imaging the moment the patient arrives,' he added. On the technology front, Dr Chhabra noted the adoption of AI-based triage in global emergency departments. 'In Canada, AI-driven systems now categorise patients into red, yellow, or green zones automatically. AI is also being used in history-taking to ensure no critical questions are missed, especially when physicians are cognitively overloaded.' Dr Chaudhry, speaking from his experience at military and civilian hospitals, emphasized triage as the cornerstone of emergency care. 'It begins not just at the hospital but also in ambulances. Integration between departments is crucial. Once myocardial infarction is ruled in, the patient is directly moved to cardiology,' he explained. He stressed that trained emergency staff—certified in ATLS, ALS, and BLS—manage patients from initial assessment through to transfer. 'With the Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission, we can access past patient data immediately. This cuts down delays in treatment, which in emergency medicine, could mean the difference between life and death,' he said. Backing up his points with concrete statistics, Dr. Chhabra said, 'In the Manipal network, we manage around 1,200 STEMI cases annually. Our Code STEMI protocol has helped reduce mortality by 30 per cent. We have also brought down door-to-balloon time by 20 to 30 minutes well below the international standard of 90 minutes even in tier 2 and tier 3 cities,' he noted. Dr Agrawal shared insights on neurotrauma care and how the system has evolved. 'Ten years ago, we were operating on two to three severe head injury cases daily. Today, that number has dropped to one. Better infrastructure, safer vehicles, and emergency awareness have helped,' he said. However, he pointed out that Delhi still lacks a world-class ambulance system. 'Interestingly, 50 per cent of our emergency neurotrauma cases are brought in by Delhi Police, who have a scoop-and-run directive. While they're not medically trained, they get patients to us in under 10 minutes, often faster than ambulances,' he noted. He recounted how AIIMS was once accused of shunting patients to smaller hospitals, leading to a Supreme Court petition by Safdarjung Hospital. 'We took a call that any patient requiring intubation or ventilation would not be referred out. We would treat them regardless of bed capacity. That's when we built a dedicated trauma center with half of our 250 beds reserved for neurotrauma,' he said. 'Someone has to take responsibility and we did," Dr Agrawal mentioned. The Regulatory Setback Toward the end, Dr. Chhabra raised a serious concern on the fluctuating recognition of emergency medicine as a specialty. 'In 2009, the specialty was recognised. In 2022, NMC mandated every medical college to have an Emergency Medicine department. But in 2023, emergency medicine was shockingly removed as an essential specialty. That's a huge setback,' he said. He advocated for national protocols from the Ministry of Health or NABH, especially for golden hour conditions like STEMI and head injuries. 'If doctors across India follow standardized treatment protocols—even if they eventually refer to the case—they could still stabilise the patient and save lives,' he emphasised. In closing, moderator Vikas Dandekar reflected on the international context. 'In Canada, a student with a fractured finger waited 12 hours in the ER without even a painkiller—because he was low priority. Compare that to India, where doctors operate under immense pressure but still manage to deliver care with empathy and speed. That's our strength,' he said. Dr. Agrawal echoed the sentiment. 'We're lucky here. In India, if you need an MRI, you can get it done immediately. In many Western countries, you'd need to go through multiple referrals. While that system has its merits, our accessibility—despite resource constraints—is a huge advantage.' The session concluded with a unanimous call to institutionalise emergency medicine, invest in smart technologies, and uphold patient-centered values that make India's evolving emergency care ecosystem not only efficient but also humane.
