Surgeon Vice Admiral Vivek Hande, Director General (Organisation & Personnel), Armed Forces Medical Services (AFMS), Office of the Director General Armed Forces Medical Services (DGAFMS), visited Pune from 6 to 7 August 2026 to review key military healthcare institutions and interact with officers on issues related to personnel management, medical administration and organisational development.
During the two-day visit, Surg VAdm Hande met officers at Headquarters Southern Command and reviewed the functioning of some of the Armed Forces Medical Services’ premier healthcare establishments, including the Armed Forces Medical College (AFMC), Command Hospital (Southern Command) and the Artificial Limb Centre.
At the medical institutions, the senior officer assessed healthcare infrastructure, medical services and ongoing initiatives aimed at enhancing patient care, medical education and rehabilitation. The reviews focused on ensuring that the institutions continue to maintain high standards of clinical excellence while supporting the healthcare requirements of serving personnel, veterans and their families.
The visit also provided an opportunity to evaluate the role of these institutions in advancing military medicine, specialist training and medical research. The Artificial Limb Centre, one of India’s leading rehabilitation facilities for armed forces personnel, was among the key establishments reviewed during the visit, reflecting the AFMS’ continued emphasis on comprehensive rehabilitation and long-term care for injured service personnel.
As part of the programme, Surg VAdm Vivek Hande delivered a series of lectures to officers on human resource policies and the latest initiatives undertaken by the Office of the DGAFMS. The sessions covered personnel management, career development, organisational reforms and measures aimed at improving the overall welfare of medical professionals serving in the Armed Forces.
The interactive lectures encouraged officers to better understand evolving HR policies and highlighted the importance of efficient personnel administration in strengthening the operational effectiveness of the Armed Forces Medical Services. Discussions also focused on promoting professional excellence, leadership development and creating a supportive environment for medical personnel across the three Services.
Addressing the officers, Surg VAdm Hande reiterated the Armed Forces Medical Services’ commitment to delivering high-quality healthcare while continuously strengthening military medical education, personnel welfare and organisational efficiency. He emphasised that maintaining a highly trained, motivated and professionally competent medical workforce remains essential for sustaining the operational readiness of the Indian Armed Forces.
The visit reaffirmed the AFMS’ focus on enhancing healthcare delivery through continuous institutional development, investment in medical education and effective personnel management. It also underscored the organisation’s commitment to providing world-class medical support to the Armed Forces while ensuring the welfare and professional growth of its medical personnel.
