AFMS-IISc collaborate for research and training in combat medicine

The Armed Forces Medical Services (AFMS) has partnered with the Indian Institute of Sciences, Bengaluru to collaborate in research and development on various aspects of combat medicine. Today a Memorandum of Understanding was signed,

At a press conference on the sidelines of the 74th Annual Armed Forces Medical Conference ARMEDiCON-2026, Surg Vice Admiral Arti Sarin, Director General of Armed Forces Medical Services, said research is a key pillar of AFMS’s long-term vision.

“Over the past year, we have strengthened institutional partnerships through MoUs with premier organizations like IIT Madras, NIMHANS, DIAT. Pune,PGI chandigarhIISC BengaluruICMR, AIIMS New Delhiand several IITs. “These collaborations form the backbone of our ‘Future-Ready’ strategy,” DGAFMS said.

Professor Navakanta Bhat, Dean, Division of Interdisciplinary Sciences, IISc, Bengaluru, also explained how the focus was on the health needs of soldiers deployed in remote locations. “From wearable devices to wound healing, these technologies will enable continuous monitoring of health parameters and even enable interventions in remote environments. These innovations will not be limited to field use but will also find applications in hospitals and civilian healthcare,” said Professor Bhat.

A key component of this partnership is a joint doctoral program, under which AFMC doctors can come to IISc to conduct research, develop innovative solutions and apply them to real clinical needs. “The MoU outlines broad outlines and we are confident that many significant innovations will emerge from this initiative,” he said.

While the IISc is in the process of setting up a comprehensive medical program including a postgraduate medical school and an 830-bed hospital, the premier institution is keen on deepening ties with the Armed Forces Medical College (AFMC), Pune and finding solutions in the field of combat medicine.

In a question related to Indian astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla’s recent research on how bacteria could be used to produce construction materials on Mars, Professor Bhat said it was an example of collaborative spirit. “Shubhanshu, who completed his master’s degree from IISc, benefited from the opportunity to pursue the Mtech by Research programme.

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In addition to the courses, practical research was carried out in laboratories, including work in space medicine. “With upcoming space missions, fundamental questions about the human body in zero gravity remain open research challenges and therefore R&D collaborations are important,” he said.

ARMEDiCON 2026

Meanwhile, Vice Admiral Surgeon Sarín also spoke about how ARMEDiCON remains one of the most important professional and strategic platforms of the Armed Forces Medical Services. “It brings together senior managers from all three services to collectively review our achievements, reflect on emerging challenges and chart a roadmap for the future.

“This year’s conference has focused primarily on operational readiness, clinical excellence, leadership, research and capability development. We were privileged to hear from Lieutenant General Pratik K Sharma, Government of China’s Northern Command, who shared invaluable insights from Operation SINDOOR, highlighting the changing nature of military medical support in contemporary conflicts,” Vice Admiral Sarin said. He also explained that military medical exercises on blood support, combat casualty care, evacuation and disaster response further strengthen operational readiness.

The DGAFMS also spoke about how the Armed Forces Medical College has strengthened its biosurveillance and diagnostic capabilities. “A state-of-the-art BSL-2 laboratory has been established under the state-level viral research and diagnostic laboratory. This enables rapid and safe identification of infectious pathogens during outbreaks. We have also operationalized AFMC’s first viral cell culture laboratory, enabling advanced viral isolation and characterization. By integrating these facilities with national surveillance systems and the One Health framework, AFMC is playing a pivotal role in strengthening India’s preparedness against biological and emerging pandemics,” he said.

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At the medical camp in the union territory of Lakshadweep and Minicoy islands organized under the auspices of the Indian Navy, the DGAFM said the initiative was aimed at bringing high-quality specialized care to remote island communities. “More than 4,700 beneficiaries received consultations across multiple specialties. More than 550 procedures, including cataract surgeries, general surgeries, dental care and diagnostic services, were performed on site. This mission reflected the true spirit of togetherness, outreach and service. It reaffirmed our commitment to ensuring equitable access to healthcare, regardless of geography,” he added.

Anuradha Mascarenhas is a senior editor at The Indian Express, based in Pune. With a career spanning three decades, he is one of the most respected voices in Indian journalism on health, science, environment and research developments. She also has a keen interest in covering women’s issues. Professional Background Education: Gold Medalist in Communication and Journalism from Savitribai Phule Pune University and Masters in Literature. Author: She is the author of the biography At The Wheel Of Research, which chronicles the life and work of Dr. Soumya Swaminathan, former chief scientist of the WHO. Key Focus: Combines scientific accuracy with storytelling, translating complex medical research into compelling public and human interest narratives. Awards and Recognitions Anuradha has won several awards including Press Council of India National Award for Excellence in Journalism in Gender Based Reporting Category in 2019 and Laadli Media Award (Gender Sensitivity -2024). She received the Lokmat Journalism Award (Gender Category-2022) and was also shortlisted for the RedInk Awards for Excellence in Journalism-2021. Her first book, At The Wheel Of Research, an exclusive biography of Dr Soumya Swaminathan, the inaugural Chief Scientist of the World Health Organization, was also nominated in the People’s Choice category of the JK Paper AUTHER Awards. She has also held competitive fellowships including Laadli Media Fellowship (2022), Survivors Against TB – New Research in TB Media Fellowship (2023) and is part of the prestigious India 2025 cohort of the WomenLift Health Leadership Journey.” Recent Featured Articles (Late 2025) 1. Cancer and Specialty Healthcare “Tata Memorial finds a way to kill drug-resistant cancer cells” (November 26, 2025): Report on a breakthrough for triple-negative breast cancer, one of the most aggressive forms of the disease. Discipline, Diet and Purpose; How a 97-Year-Old Professor Challenges Aging” (November 15, 2025) Report on Professor Gururaj Mutalik, the first head of department at Pune’s BJ Government Medical College, who at 97 attributes his longevity to healthy habits and a strong sense of purpose 2. Environmental health (“Breathless” series. Pune”) Prolonged exposure to even “moderate” air causes chronic heart, lung and kidney problems” (November 26, 2025) – Part of a research series highlighting that even “safe” pollution levels are harmful to vital organs. “For every 10 µg/m3 increase in PM2.5 level, there was a 6-8% increase in medicine sales” (November 23, 2025) – Using commercial data to demonstrate the direct link between air quality and respiratory diseases in Pune. 3. Lifestyle & Wellness News “They Didn’t Let Cancer, Diabetes, and Heart Disease Stop Them From Traveling” (December 22, 2025) – A collaborative article featuring survivors sharing practical tips for traveling with chronic illnesses. At age 17, his blood pressure shot up to 200/120 mmHG; Lancet study points out why hypertension in children and adolescents doubled between 2000 and 2020” (November 12, 2025) – a report that focuses on a 17-year-old’s hypertensive crisis and reflects the growing global trend of high blood pressure among children and adolescents. 4. Scientific Infrastructure and Recognition To promote science and communication and gender diversity: IUCAA professor featured in Nature” (November 25, 2025): Covers global recognition of Indian women scientists in gender studies and physics. Pune researchers find spiral galaxy like the Milky Way from early universe” (December 3, 2025): A report on how Indian researchers discovered a massive galaxy that existed when the universe had only 1.5 billion years. , one of the first to be seen so far Signature Beat: Health, Science and Women in Leadership Anuradha is known for her reporting on COVID-19, where she was one of the first journalists to provide detailed information on the trials of Covishield and Covaxin. She has a dedicated interest in gender diversity in health and science, and often profiles women researchers who are breaking the “leaky pipeline” in STEM fields. health experts from the institutions.
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