The Indian Naval Hospital Ship (INHS) Asvini in Mumbai witnessed a ceremonial change of command today as Surgeon Rear Admiral Dilip Raghavan handed over leadership to Surgeon Rear Admiral Manish Honwad, VSM.
During his tenure from July 2024 to September 2025, Raghavan was credited with elevating the hospital’s standards of patient care, infrastructure, and medical innovation. Under his leadership, INHS Asvini was awarded the prestigious Raksha Mantri Trophy for Best Command Hospital in 2024, cementing its reputation as a cornerstone of military healthcare.
His successor, Surg RAdm Honwad, is a decorated officer with extensive experience in military medicine. Known for his contributions to advancing healthcare in the armed forces, he is expected to carry forward the hospital’s legacy of excellence.
Tracing its origins to 1756 as the King’s Seamen Hospital and commissioned as INHS Asvini in 1951, the facility remains the Indian Navy’s only Command Hospital under the Western Naval Command. With a bed strength of 825, it provides care to over 300,000 patients annually, including naval personnel, other service members, veterans, and their families.
Located in Navy Nagar, Colaba, the hospital has blended its historic legacy with modern technology, achieving a steady rise in patient outcomes over the past decade. The handover ceremony, marked by a guard of honour and formal salutes, reflected both continuity and commitment as the hospital entered a new chapter under Honwad’s command.
