Surgeon Vice Admiral Arti Sarin, Director General Armed Forces Medical Services (DGAFMS), visited the Artificial Limb Centre (ALC), Pune, on 11 August 2026 and reviewed the centre’s ongoing efforts to strengthen rehabilitation services and develop indigenous mobility solutions for personnel and patients with disabilities.
During the visit, Surg VAdm Arti Sarin visited “Saksham”, the centre’s unique Holistic Mobility Clinic that brings multidisciplinary rehabilitation services under one roof. The facility is designed to provide comprehensive support to patients by integrating different aspects of mobility and rehabilitation care.
The DGAFMS also reviewed the centre’s advanced 3D printing facility, which showcases indigenous innovations in orthotics and prosthetics. The technology is aimed at enabling the development of customised solutions tailored to the individual requirements of patients.
The Flag Officer was briefed on ongoing initiatives to modernise customised footwear and improve mobility solutions. During the visit, she unveiled the Phoenix Foot Mk-I, a significant innovation developed by the Artificial Limb Centre to enable amputees to negotiate diverse terrains with greater mobility and confidence.
The Phoenix Foot Mk-I reflects the centre’s focus on developing indigenous rehabilitation technologies suited to varied operational and environmental conditions. Such innovations can contribute to improving mobility and quality of life for amputees while strengthening self-reliance in specialised medical equipment.
Surg VAdm Arti Sarin also interacted with patients and their attendants during the visit, taking an overview of their experiences and rehabilitation journeys. She appreciated the efforts being made by medical and technical teams to provide patient-centric care and support.
The DGAFMS felicitated dedicated personnel of the Artificial Limb Centre with DGAFMS Appreciation Cards in recognition of their contribution and commitment to patient care and rehabilitation services.
Surg VAdm Arti Sarin commended Team ALC for its relentless pursuit of professional excellence, indigenous innovation and compassionate care. She highlighted the importance of combining advanced technology with a patient-focused approach to help individuals overcome physical challenges and regain greater independence.
The visit highlighted the Armed Forces Medical Services’ continuing emphasis on modern rehabilitation, indigenous medical technology and multidisciplinary patient care, with initiatives such as Saksham and Phoenix Foot Mk-I demonstrating efforts to transform disability into “SuperAbility.”
