DGAFMS Surgeon Vice Admiral Arti Sarin Reviews Advanced Medical Facilities at INHS Asvini in Mumbai

Surgeon Vice Admiral Arti Sarin, Director General Armed Forces Medical Services (DGAFMS), visited INHS Asvini in Mumbai on August 12, 2026, to review the Indian Navy hospital’s advanced medical facilities, patient care areas and the healthcare support being extended to serving personnel, veterans and other authorised beneficiaries.

The visit centred on two linked priorities of the Armed Forces Medical Services: sustaining high standards of clinical care and ensuring that the medical network backing operational formations remains ready to support personnel deployed both ashore and at sea. During her inspection, Surg Vice Admiral Sarin examined key hospital facilities, assessed the functioning of major patient care areas and interacted with doctors, nurses, medical assistants and other personnel involved in healthcare delivery.

She appreciated the hospital’s commitment to quality treatment and patient care, while also using the visit to review how healthcare is being delivered across different levels of the naval medical system.

A key naval tertiary-care hospital

INHS Asvini is one of the Indian Navy’s important tertiary-care medical establishments and has long played a major role in providing specialised healthcare to naval personnel and other authorised beneficiaries. Located in Mumbai, it forms a critical part of the wider medical support network of the Western Naval Command.

Its role extends beyond routine hospital services. Previous Ministry of Defence information has highlighted how INHS Asvini and other naval hospitals have supported medical requirements during national contingencies, demonstrating their ability to mobilise teams and resources when required while continuing to serve the naval community.

During the August 12 visit, the DGAFMS reviewed the hospital’s advanced medical infrastructure and patient-care arrangements in detail. In the military context, that focus carries added weight: Armed Forces hospitals are expected not only to provide routine and specialised treatment, but also to preserve the health and fitness of personnel entrusted with operational duties.

Recognition for the wider naval medical network

Surg Vice Admiral Sarin also commended personnel serving across the Navy’s layered healthcare chain, including those posted at sickbays, Medical Inspection Rooms (MI Rooms), secondary-care establishments and tertiary-care hospitals. She praised the dedication, professionalism and commitment to patient care shown by staff at INHS Jeevanti, INHS Sandhani, INHS Patanjali and INHS Asvini.

These institutions together form a healthcare structure designed to handle everything from primary treatment and routine medical assistance to specialised and tertiary-level interventions. Sickbays and MI Rooms provide the first level of medical support, while larger hospitals progressively deliver more advanced care.

Official Ministry of Defence records have previously identified INHS Jeevanti in Goa, INHS Patanjali in Karwar, INHS Sandhani in Mumbai and INHS Asvini in Mumbai as important elements of the Western Naval Command’s medical infrastructure. During the COVID-19 emergency, these hospitals were mobilised to support wider national healthcare requirements even as they continued meeting their responsibilities towards service personnel and beneficiaries.

Medical care and operational readiness

The DGAFMS underlined the role of medical personnel in sustaining operational readiness at shore establishments and on the high seas. For a maritime force such as the Indian Navy, the effectiveness of medical support is particularly important because sailors and officers may remain deployed aboard warships or at remote naval locations for extended periods.

That makes the continuity of care across the naval medical network essential. From first-contact treatment at sickbays and MI Rooms to specialised intervention at secondary and tertiary-care hospitals, the system is designed to support personnel through routine medical needs, complex treatment, rehabilitation and preventive healthcare.

The performance of this chain has a direct impact on operational availability. Timely diagnosis, appropriate treatment and recovery support help personnel return to duty, while long-term care remains available for the wider naval community, including veterans and other beneficiaries.

INHS Asvini’s wider significance

INHS Asvini’s importance in naval healthcare is rooted not only in its tertiary-care role across multiple specialities, but also in its demonstrated ability to respond during larger emergencies. During the COVID-19 crisis, for instance, the hospital prepared composite medical teams for deployment at short notice, including personnel trained as Battlefield Nursing Assistants, under the direction of the DGAFMS.

That experience reflects the dual responsibility carried by Armed Forces hospitals: they must deliver high-quality healthcare in normal circumstances while retaining the capacity to respond rapidly during emergencies, operational deployments and national contingencies.

Surg Vice Admiral Sarin also has a longstanding association with INHS Asvini, having previously served as its Commanding Officer during her career in the Armed Forces Medical Services.

Part of a broader push on preparedness

As DGAFMS, Surg Vice Admiral Arti Sarin heads the integrated medical services responsible for supporting personnel of the Indian Army, Indian Navy and Indian Air Force. Her visit to INHS Asvini comes amid a broader emphasis on strengthening medical preparedness, modernising healthcare infrastructure and maintaining high standards of clinical and patient-centred care across the Armed Forces.

The Armed Forces Medical Services function in a demanding environment in which medical personnel may serve aboard ships, at air bases, in field formations, at remote military stations and in specialised hospitals. Their role therefore goes well beyond conventional hospital work and forms an essential part of the military’s operational support architecture.

Seen in that context, the August 12 visit reinforced the importance of maintaining an unbroken healthcare continuum, beginning with sickbays and MI Rooms and extending through secondary and tertiary-care institutions. By recognising the work being done at INHS Jeevanti, INHS Sandhani, INHS Patanjali and INHS Asvini, the DGAFMS drew attention to the collective contribution of the naval medical community in protecting the health of personnel and sustaining the Indian Navy’s mission readiness.

Her appreciation for the professionalism and dedication of doctors, nurses, medical assistants and support staff reflected a central reality of military medicine: quality healthcare is indispensable to combat effectiveness. Whether caring for personnel at shore establishments or supporting sailors operating far from the Indian coastline, the naval medical network remains a core element of the Navy’s ability to stay ready for operations at all times.