Lieutenant General Vineet Sharma, Director General Dental Services (DGDS) and Colonel Commandant of the Army Dental Corps, conducted a key review of dental healthcare facilities during his visit to the 3 Corps Dental Unit and the Ex-Servicemen Contributory Health Scheme (ECHS) Polyclinic in Dimapur. The visit focused on the ongoing modernization efforts, infrastructure enhancements, and outreach programs intended to bolster the delivery of high-quality oral healthcare to serving personnel, veterans, and their families in the region.
As part of the inspection, Lt Gen Sharma assessed the operational capabilities and readiness of the dental unit, ensuring that the facilities align with the healthcare needs of troops stationed under 3 Corps’ Area of Responsibility. The ECHS Polyclinic, which plays a crucial role in delivering medical services to ex-servicemen, was also a focal point of the visit. The review gains added significance in light of the Ministry of Defence’s initiative from November 2024, which seeks to expand veteran healthcare services by establishing 21 new ECHS polyclinics and upgrading 50 existing ones across the nation.
In high-level discussions with Lt Gen AS Pendharkar, General Officer Commanding (GOC) of 3 Corps, and Maj Gen Vijay Jotwani, Chief of Staff, Lt Gen Sharma emphasized the Indian Army’s ongoing commitment to veteran welfare and health infrastructure development in remote and strategic locations like Nagaland. Their interactions reinforced the role of collaborative leadership in sustaining the Army’s high standards of medical care.
The visit was also marked by symbolic moments, including ceremonial exchanges and a group photograph with the dental unit team, capturing the shared dedication of the Army Dental Corps and regional command leadership. Lt Gen Sharma’s interactions with staff members and healthcare professionals underscored the importance of morale, medical readiness, and a patient-centric approach in military healthcare systems.
This engagement reflects the broader vision of the Indian Army to maintain a robust and inclusive healthcare network, especially in frontier regions. The Army Dental Corps, through its consistent efforts in oral health awareness, clinical excellence, and preventive care, remains a vital pillar of this mission, ensuring that the force remains fit, ready, and supported both during and after service.
