Major General Harkirat Singh has officially assumed command of the Command Hospital (Western Command), a significant milestone for one of the Indian Armed Forces’ premier tertiary care medical institutions. This transition, which took place on May 17, 2025, is a crucial shift in leadership within the Armed Forces Medical Services (AFMS), underscoring the military’s dedication to providing top-tier medical care, research, and training across its operational regions.
A distinguished alumnus of the Armed Forces Medical College (AFMC) in Pune, Major General Singh is a highly accomplished officer and a leading specialist in Nuclear Medicine. His extensive experience encompasses a diverse range of clinical and administrative roles at various key AFMS establishments and formation headquarters throughout India. With this wealth of knowledge in medical science and strategic insight into military healthcare delivery, Major General Singh is well-positioned to elevate the standards and capabilities of the Command Hospital (Western Command).
The appointment has garnered praise from Surgeon Vice Admiral Arti Sarin, who holds the titles of Ati Vishisht Seva Medal (AVSM) and Vishisht Seva Medal (VSM) and serves as the Director General of Armed Forces Medical Services (DGAFMS). As the highest-ranking woman officer in the Indian Armed Forces, Surgeon Vice Admiral Sarin has played a vital role in transforming military healthcare. Her efforts have been integral in modernizing tri-service medical coordination and enhancing field-based medical capabilities. Her proactive leadership was highlighted during her April 2025 visit to a high-altitude field hospital in Jammu and Kashmir, where she commended the operational success and quality of care delivered.
Situated in Chandimandir, the Command Hospital (Western Command) plays a central role in the Indian military healthcare landscape. It addresses the specialized medical requirements of active personnel, their dependents, and retired military individuals from the Indian Army, Navy, and Air Force. Additionally, the hospital serves as a hub for postgraduate medical education and research, maintaining a close academic partnership with the Armed Forces Medical College in Pune. Its strategic positioning and advanced facilities contribute significantly to the medical readiness and resilience of India’s Western Command.
With Major General Singh at the helm, the hospital is anticipated to see advancements in clinical excellence, academic training, and the integration of state-of-the-art medical technologies. His assumption of command coincides with an expanded role for the Armed Forces Medical Services in both peacetime and operational contexts, ensuring comprehensive healthcare across the expansive military landscape of India.
This leadership change symbolizes the AFMS’s unwavering commitment to integrating specialized expertise, fostering medical innovation, and ensuring responsive healthcare systems that support the nation’s armed forces. The appointment of Major General Singh reinforces the organization’s focus on maintaining professional excellence and strategic preparedness in all facets of military medicine.
