Lieutenant General Ajay Kumar, Chief of Staff, Southern Command, visited the Armed Forces Medical College (AFMC), Pune, on November 6, 2026, to assess its medical training ecosystem, research work and healthcare support capabilities.
According to the information shared from the visit, Lt Gen Ajay Kumar met Surgeon Vice Admiral Manish Honwad, Director and Commandant of AFMC Pune, and was briefed on the college’s legacy, academic achievements, ongoing research programmes and medical education efforts.
The visit placed attention on AFMC’s role in supporting the healthcare needs of the Indian Armed Forces and in preparing medical professionals for military service. The discussions also covered the institution’s effort to bring modern technology, research and updated teaching methods into military medical education.
Facilities reviewed during the visit
Lt Gen Ajay Kumar toured several parts of the campus to understand the institution’s training and research framework more closely. Among the locations he visited was the Health Training Assessment Centre, which supports the evaluation and development of healthcare-related skills and competencies among medical professionals.
He also visited the War Surgery Museum, which displays material connected to combat-related medical care, battlefield injuries and the development of military surgical practice. As described in the source, the museum is used as an educational resource for understanding the medical challenges faced in operational environments.
At the Surgical Skills Lab, the Chief of Staff reviewed facilities intended to improve practical surgical training and technical proficiency. The source states that such infrastructure helps military doctors prepare for complex medical emergencies and combat injuries.
Research and military medical relevance
The visit further included the Centre for Advanced Research and the Department of Medical Research, where Lt Gen Ajay Kumar was informed about ongoing initiatives aimed at advancing medical knowledge, strengthening research capabilities and addressing healthcare challenges relevant to the Armed Forces.
The discussions highlighted the growing significance of medical research, simulation-based training and specialised healthcare education in supporting modern military operations. The source does not indicate any new announcement, but it does show continued institutional focus on these areas.
Established in 1948, the Armed Forces Medical College in Pune is one of India’s premier medical education and research institutions. It trains 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 institution’s academic programmes, research activities and specialised training are presented in the source as important contributors to military medicine, particularly in operational healthcare and casualty management. The visit also underlined the connection between operational military formations and AFMS in supporting troops.
The interaction concluded with recognition of AFMC Pune’s role in medical education, healthcare innovation and the development of skilled medical professionals, while reaffirming the need for continued investment in advanced training, specialised research and healthcare infrastructure.
