Surgeon Vice Admiral Arti Sarin, AVSM, VSM, Director General Armed Forces Medical Services (DGAFMS), conducted an operational field visit to the 92 Base Hospital in Srinagar, located at Badami Bagh Cantonment. The visit aimed to evaluate the hospital’s performance in delivering medical care under challenging conditions, particularly in the realm of combat trauma management.

During her tour, Admiral Sarin inspected key facilities, including the Trauma Centre, wards, and various departments. She expressed her appreciation for the hospital’s exemplary work, noting its critical role in managing combat-related injuries. The 92 Base Hospital has earned a reputation for its efficiency, with minimal patient transfer times to treatment beds and well-equipped operation theatres that enable life- and limb-saving surgeries. The hospital has also been recognized for its resilience in handling the dual challenges of combat trauma and the COVID-19 pandemic, maintaining low mortality rates through dedicated care.

Addressing the officers, nursing officers, junior commissioned officers (JCOs), and other ranks, Admiral Sarin commended their professionalism, dedication, and commitment to providing the best possible medical care in a high-pressure environment. She also took the time to visit patients, offering words of encouragement and highlighting the importance of a positive mindset in overcoming medical challenges. Her interactions underscored the armed forces’ focus on holistic trauma care, which includes a staged approach to treatment, comprehensive rehabilitation, and ongoing training.

The 92 Base Hospital has a storied history, having been established after merging several military hospitals in the region. It has become a cornerstone of medical support in the area, often described as a “healers’ abode” for its life-saving efforts. The hospital’s work aligns with the broader goals of the armed forces’ medical services, which emphasize uniformity in trauma care protocols and collaboration with civilian counterparts to enhance overall healthcare outcomes. Admiral Sarin’s visit reaffirmed the armed forces’ commitment to maintaining world-class medical infrastructure for its personnel, even in operational field areas.

Surgeon Vice Admiral Arti Sarin, Director General of Armed Forces Medical Services (DGAFMS), visited a frontline Field Hospital in the Lipa Valley of Jammu and Kashmir, where she commended the medical team’s unwavering commitment amidst challenging conditions. The visit underscored the critical role of the hospital in supporting military operations near the Line of Control (LoC), a region historically affected by insurgency.

During her visit, VAdm Sarin was briefed on the hospital’s operations and its vital role in providing medical support to both military personnel and local civilians under Operation Sadbhavana. Launched in 1998, this Indian Army initiative aims to “win hearts and minds” by delivering healthcare, empowering women, and supporting youth in border areas impacted by terrorism. The Admiral interacted with local residents receiving care, reinforcing the Armed Forces’ commitment to humanitarian efforts in the region.

VAdm Sarin also praised the high-quality training of Battlefield Nursing Assistants (BFNAs), who play a crucial role in delivering swift, life-saving care in combat zones. The BFNAs have been instrumental in remote areas, with their skills also proving vital during broader efforts like COVID-19 management. The medical team, dubbed the ‘Lipa Valley Healers,’ was lauded for their dedication and professionalism in ensuring operational readiness under tough circumstances.

The visit highlights the Indian Armed Forces’ broader mission to integrate community welfare with military objectives, fostering trust with the local population, including the Gujjar and Bakarwal communities near the LoC. VAdm Sarin’s engagement reflects the ongoing efforts to strengthen medical services within the armed forces, ensuring both the well-being of troops and support for civilians in conflict-affected regions.

The event was attended by personnel from various branches of the military, showcasing the collaborative spirit of the Armed Forces Medical Services. The DGAFMS also acknowledged the contributions of the Indian Army, Navy, and Air Force medical branches in maintaining healthcare delivery under diverse and demanding conditions.

Surgeon Vice Admiral Arti Sarin, the Director General of Armed Forces Medical Services (DGAFMS), made a significant visit to a combat hospital in South Kashmir on April 12, 2025. As the first woman to hold the prestigious position of DGAFMS since her appointment on October 1, 2024, her visit underscored the critical role of military medical services in ensuring the health and readiness of soldiers stationed along the Line of Control (LoC).

During her tour, Surgeon VAdm Sarin lauded the “unrelenting spirit, selfless commitment, and dedication” of the combat hospital staff, whom she referred to as “Combat Healers.” She emphasized their vital contribution to Force Health Protection, a cornerstone of maintaining operational readiness for troops deployed in the challenging and sensitive region of Jammu and Kashmir.

The visit highlighted the Armed Forces Medical Services’ (AFMS) ongoing efforts to provide top-tier medical support, with the AFMS overseeing 112 military hospitals across India as of 2020.

As part of her itinerary, Sarin paid a heartfelt tribute to fallen soldiers at the Uri War Memorial, a site that honors the sacrifices of those who have served in the region. She also visited Kaman Aman Setu, known as the “Bridge of Peace,” located in the Uri sector of Baramulla district on the LoC. This landmark, which opened in 2007, has evolved from a strategic military outpost into a symbol of reconciliation and a popular tourist destination, reflecting the Indian Army’s efforts to promote peace and connectivity in the region.

The visit comes at a time when the AFMS continues to play a pivotal role in integrating medical services across the Army, Navy, and Air Force, a structure formalized by the Government of India in 1948. Surgeon VAdm Sarin’s leadership marks a historic milestone for the organization, and her engagement with frontline medical units underscores the importance of robust healthcare support in conflict zones.

Mrs. Sunita Dwivedi, President of the Army Wives Welfare Association (AWWA), along with Mrs. Shuchi Katiyar, Regional President of AWWA (Western Command), visited the Early Intervention Centre (EIC) and Palliative Care Centre (PCC) at Military Hospital (MH) Jalandhar on April 12, 2025. The visit highlighted AWWA’s ongoing commitment to supporting the welfare of military families, particularly through specialized healthcare and developmental services.

During their visit, Mrs. Dwivedi and Mrs. Katiyar interacted with the staff, children, and caregivers at both centres. At the EIC, which focuses on early childhood development for children with special needs, they engaged with young children and their families, appreciating the dedicated efforts of the staff in fostering growth and support. The Palliative Care Centre, a 10-bedded facility operational since April 8, 2019, under the Vajra Corps, provides critical end-of-life care for patients, and the AWWA leaders commended the compassionate work of the staff and caregivers there.

Mrs. Dwivedi praised the exceptional work being done at both centres, emphasizing AWWA’s role in supporting the families of Army personnel. “The real strength of a soldier’s will to fight is not because of what is in front of him, but what is behind him,” she had previously noted during International Women’s Day event at Udhampur, a sentiment that resonates with AWWA’s mission to stand by military families through initiatives like these.

The visit, which included interactions with military personnel and the distribution of gifts to children, underscored the collaborative efforts of AWWA’s leadership to enhance welfare services across key military locations like Jalandhar, a significant hub under the Western Command.

The AWWA continues to play a pivotal role in uplifting the lives of spouses, children, and dependents of Army personnel, ensuring they receive the care and support they need to thrive.