Lt Gen Ajay Kumar Reviews AFMC Pune’s Advanced Medical Training and Research Facilities
Pune, November 7, 2026: Lieutenant General Ajay Kumar, Chief of Staff, Southern Command, visited the Armed Forces Medical College (AFMC), Pune, on November 6, 2026, to review its advanced healthcare capabilities, medical research initiatives and specialised training infrastructure.
During the visit, Lt Gen Ajay Kumar met Surgeon Vice Admiral Manish Honwad, Director and Commandant of AFMC Pune, and received a detailed briefing on the college’s legacy, its achievements in military medicine, its ongoing research programmes and its medical education initiatives.
The visit brought into focus AFMC’s role in strengthening the healthcare capabilities of the Indian Armed Forces and in training highly skilled medical professionals for the changing requirements of military healthcare. The General Officer was also briefed on the college’s advanced training facilities and on efforts to integrate modern technologies, research and innovative teaching methods into military medical education.
As part of the tour, Lt Gen Ajay Kumar visited several key facilities across the campus. These included the Health Training Assessment Centre, which is used to evaluate and develop healthcare-related skills and competencies among medical professionals.
The General Officer also visited the War Surgery Museum, which presents the realities of combat-related medical care, battlefield injuries and the evolution of military surgical practices. The museum serves as an educational resource for understanding the demands of treating casualties in operational environments.
At the Surgical Skills Lab, he reviewed facilities designed to improve practical surgical training and strengthen the technical proficiency of medical personnel. Such infrastructure is intended to help military doctors respond to complex medical emergencies and combat-related injuries.
The visit also covered the Centre for Advanced Research and the Department of Medical Research, where Lt Gen Ajay Kumar was briefed on ongoing initiatives aimed at expanding medical knowledge, strengthening research capabilities and addressing healthcare challenges relevant to the Armed Forces.
The discussions during the visit highlighted the growing importance of medical research, simulation-based training and specialised healthcare education in supporting modern military operations.
Established in 1948, the Armed Forces Medical College in Pune is among India’s premier medical education and research institutions. It plays a central role in training medical professionals for the Armed Forces Medical Services (AFMS), which provides healthcare support to personnel of the Indian Army, Indian Navy and Indian Air Force.
The college has contributed significantly to military medicine through its academic programmes, research work and specialised training in areas relevant to operational healthcare and casualty management.
Lt Gen Ajay Kumar’s visit underlined the close link between operational military formations and the Armed Forces Medical Services in ensuring comprehensive medical support for troops. Advanced medical training, research and healthcare infrastructure remain essential for maintaining the health, resilience and operational effectiveness of military personnel, particularly during demanding deployments and combat operations.
The interaction also offered an opportunity to recognise AFMC Pune’s contribution to medical education, healthcare innovation and the development of skilled medical professionals serving the nation.
The visit reaffirmed the importance of strengthening military medical capabilities through advanced training, specialised research and continued investment in healthcare infrastructure, while recognising AFMC Pune’s enduring contribution to the Indian Armed Forces.
