According to the Armed Forces Medical Service, four of its officers have won a record 32 medals at the 43rd World Medical and Health Games held in Saint-Tropez, France, from 16 to 23rd June 2024. The annual World Medical and Health Games also popularly known as the Medgames is the world's largest sporting event for the medical and health professions around the world. The first Medgames was held in 1978 in Cannes, France.
Lieutenant Colonel Sanjeev Malik, Major Anish George, Captain Stephen Sebastian, and Captain Dania James of the Armed Forces Medical Services won a record 32 medals for India at the Saint-Tropez Medgames. Together, they won 19 gold medals, 9 silver medals and 4 bronze Medals.
Lieutenant Colonel Sanjeev Malik won five gold medals in the above 35 years male category. He won gold in the 800 meters, 1500 meters, 3000 meters, 5000 meters, cross country and 4x100 meters relay.
Major Anish George won four gold ,six silver and two bronze medals in the under 35 yrs Male Category in 100 meters, 200 meters, 400 meters, 800 meters, 1500 meters, 5000 meters, Javelin, Shot Put, Discus Throw, Hammer Throw and Powerlifting events.
Captain Stephen Sebastian won six gold medals in the under 35 years male category. He won the medals in the 100 meters, 200 meters, 400 meters, Long Jump, Hammer Throw and 4x100 meters relay.
Captain Dania James won four gold, three silver, and two bronze medals in the under 35 years women category.. She won the medals in the 100 meters, 200 meters, 4x100 meters relay, Javelin, Discus Throw, Shot Put, Badminton Singles , Badminton Doubles and Powerlifting events.
The government of India, on the recommendation of the Dr B C Roy committee on’ Armed Forces Medical Services and Research Integration’ integrated the medical services of the three wings of the defence forces- Army, Navy and the Air Force and created the Armed Forces Medical Service in 1948.
The Armed Forces Medical Services is under the Director General Armed Forces Medical Services.
The Director General Armed Forces Medical Services could be headed by a rank of Lt Gen (Army) / Vice Admiral (Indian Navy)/ Air Marshal (Indian Air Force).
The Director General Armed Forces Medical Services is responsible to the Union Defence Minister for all medical policy matters related to the defence forces.
Union Defence Minister: Raj Nath Singh
Director General Armed Forces Medical Services: Lt Gen Daljit Singh