Surgeon Vice Admiral Arti Sarin, who made history by becoming the first woman to take over as Director General of Armed Forces Medical Services (DGAFMS) on October 1, 2024, inaugurated the 78th Annual Depot Commanders’ Conference in New Delhi on January 9, 2025. The conference, organized under the aegis of DGAFMS, ran from January 9 to January 10, 2025, and was held at a time when medical logistics and supply chain management are at the forefront of military strategy.
During her inaugural address, Surg VAdm Sarin emphasized the urgent need to modernize medical supply chain management protocols on a triservice platform. She highlighted the importance of seamless procurement, provisioning, and supply of medical stores across the Army, Navy, and Air Force to ensure that life-saving drugs and equipment are delivered efficiently, even to the most remote locations. Her speech underscored the global transformation in inventory management and medical logistics, aligning with best practices worldwide.
The conference, themed around “Medical Logistics & Supply Chain Management,” provided a platform for various speakers to deliberate on these critical areas over the two days. High-profile dignitaries and officials from HITES, C-DAC, and GeM graced the event, underscoring the collaborative approach needed in this domain.
In addition to the discussions, the event celebrated the release of a Hindi magazine by AFMSD Delhi Cantt and a CD containing crucial procurement policies, enhancing the accessibility of important information and promoting a multilingual approach to communication within the services.
This conference not only highlighted the advancements in medical logistics but also marked a significant moment in military history with Surg VAdm Arti Sarin leading the charge, reflecting a step forward in gender inclusivity within the military’s highest echelons.
