The 74th Armed Forces Medical Conference, ARMEDiCON-2026, commenced at the Armed Forces Medical College (AFMC), Pune on 04 February 2026, marking a key academic and professional gathering of the military medical fraternity.
The inauguration was graced by the Chief Guest, Lt Gen Pratik K Sharma, SYSM, PVSM, AVSM, VSM, General Officer Commanding-in-Chief of the Northern Command. Delivering the keynote address, the Army Commander highlighted the evolving medical challenges in contemporary military operations and underscored the critical role of innovation, preparedness, and integration in strengthening operational medical support.
In her inaugural address, Surg Vice Adm Arti Sarin, Director General Armed Forces Medical Services, emphasised the need to give renewed impetus to research, training, and institutional collaboration to further advance the cause of military medicine. She described military medicine as the bedrock of the Armed Forces Medical Services (AFMS) and stressed the importance of continuous capability enhancement to meet future operational and humanitarian challenges.
The conference witnessed the participation of senior AFMS leadership, veterans, and other eminent guests, reflecting the depth and diversity of experience within the services. Key highlights of ARMEDiCON-2026 include expert lectures by Dr Soumya Swaminathan, former Director General of the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), and Lt Gen Syed Ata Hasnain (Retd), who shared valuable insights on healthcare leadership, research, and national security perspectives.
Over 200 officers of the AFMS are participating in the conference, deliberating on advancing healthcare delivery, medical training, and research across the services. The multi-day event aims to foster knowledge exchange, promote innovation, and strengthen professional synergy within the AFMS, reinforcing its vital role in safeguarding the health and operational effectiveness of the Armed Forces.
