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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.
Time of India
12-07-2025
- Health
- Time of India
Punjab turns to retired specialists to fix crippling doctor shortage in public hospitals
Chandigarh: With nearly half of Punjab's sanctioned specialist doctor posts lying vacant, state govt has turned to its retired medical workforce in a last-ditch effort to plug widening gaps in public healthcare. In a move both pragmatic and desperate, the health department has invited retired govt doctors to apply for 100 contractual posts of consultants (specialist doctors) across district hospitals, sub-divisional hospitals, and community health centres (CHCs). This recruitment drive comes amid a deepening crisis in Punjab's healthcare system. Of the 2,098 sanctioned specialist posts, 990 (47%) remain vacant. The situation is no better in the general medical officer cadre, where 1,962 of 3,847 posts (51%) are unfilled. Irregular recruitment cycles and growing attrition have compounded the shortage, with previous efforts to hire yielding underwhelming results. In 2022, the state attempted to recruit 634 specialist doctors, but faced a poor response. Recently, out of 170 advertised posts, only 60 doctors joined. Experts attribute this reluctance to factors such as pay disparities, frequent deployment for VVIP duties, and lack of emergency medical staff, which often forces specialists to handle tasks outside their core responsibilities — including post-mortems and emergency coverage. The health department is now banking on the experience of retired PCMS specialists, aged between 58 and 64 years, to fill critical service gaps. The upper age limit for appointment is 65, and applicants must be free of disciplinary proceedings. The 100 consultant posts will be distributed across specialties — 21 in paediatrics, 20 each in obstetrics and gynaecology, and general medicine, 15 in general surgery, 13 in anaesthesia, seven in radiology, and four in psychiatry. Appointments will be on a contractual basis for one year, extendable annually based on performance and departmental approval. Consultants will perform only clinical duties — outpatient, inpatient, and emergency care — and will be exempt from medico-legal, administrative, or post-mortem responsibilities. They will not be allowed to engage in private practice during the contractual period. Applications are being accepted via email from July 12 to 22, with counselling scheduled for July 25 in Chandigarh. Punjab Civil Medical Services Association (PCMSA) president Dr Akhil Sarin described it as a "step in the right direction" toward improving healthcare access for the poor and underserved. He noted that walk-in interviews for an additional 160 specialist posts are also in the pipeline. Dr Sarin added that planned reforms, including the restoration of the modified assured career progression (MACP) scheme and enhanced security measures, which are nearing implementation, could play a crucial role in improving recruitment and retention in the public health cadre. "The govt's renewed focus on reinforcing clinical manpower is encouraging," Dr Sarin said. "If supported with systemic reforms, these measures can significantly ease pressure on public hospitals. " BOXES Under Court Scrutiny The crisis has also caught the attention of the judiciary. The Punjab and Haryana high court, hearing a public interest litigation filed by one Bhisham Kinger of Malerkotla, has directed the principal secretary, health, to submit a detailed affidavit on infrastructure and manpower gaps in govt health facilities. The court has also asked for an update on the status and timeline of the ongoing recruitment process. Pay disparities to blame Experts attribute the reluctance of specialists to join service in Punjab to factors such as pay disparities, frequent deployment for VVIP duties, and lack of emergency medical staff They say this often forces specialists to handle tasks outside their core responsibilities, including post-mortems and emergency coverage Of 2,098 sanctioned specialist posts in Punjab, 990 (47%) remain vacant. The situation is no better in the general medical officer cadre, where 1,962 of 3,847 posts (51%) are unfilled
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
