AFMC’s medical training, research and specialist facilities were the focus of a visit by Lt Gen Ajay Kumar, Chief of Staff, Southern Command, to the Armed Forces Medical College (AFMC), Pune, on November 6, 2026. He met Surg VAdm Manish Honwad, Director and Commandant of AFMC, and received a briefing on the college’s legacy, healthcare capabilities, research initiatives and professional training programmes.
The briefing outlined AFMC’s contribution to military medicine and medical education, including the development of medical professionals and support for research within the Armed Forces. It also covered the institution’s specialised healthcare capabilities and the role of its academic and medical infrastructure in addressing changing healthcare needs.
Lt Gen Ajay Kumar was apprised of programmes intended to strengthen the professional competence of medical personnel. The briefing described how medical education, practical training, research and specialised healthcare services are brought together at the institution to prepare professionals for different healthcare settings, including those associated with military service.
During the tour, the Chief of Staff visited the Health Training Assessment Centre, War Surgery Museum, Surgical Skills Lab, Centre for Advanced Research and Department of Medical Research. The facilities offered an overview of AFMC’s training, research and healthcare-related activities.
The Health Training Assessment Centre’s training and assessment infrastructure and the War Surgery Museum’s connection to military medical history were among the areas covered. Lt Gen Ajay Kumar also visited the Surgical Skills Lab, which is associated with practical instruction and the development of specialised surgical competencies.
The tour included the Centre for Advanced Research and the Department of Medical Research, reflecting AFMC’s research activities and focus on advancing medical knowledge. Together, the facilities span medical education, practical training, research and specialised military healthcare.
AFMC’s work extends beyond classroom instruction to the preparation of medical professionals and the development of expertise relevant to the Armed Forces’ healthcare requirements. The visit highlighted the institution’s contribution to military medicine, medical education and the development of skilled personnel.
