AFMS and IIT Kanpur partner for soldier health tech in tough terrains

On 18 April 2024, the Armed Forces Medical Services (AFMS) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Kanpur for collaborative research and training.

Signing of Memorandum of Understanding (MOU):

• On this MoU, Director General of Armed Forces Medical Services, Lieutenant General Daljit Singh and Acting Director of IIT Kanpur, Professor S. Ganesh signed.

Will work for better health of soldiers in inaccessible areas:

• Under this MoU, AFMS and IIT Kanpur will work together for better health of soldiers in remote areas. Under this, research will be done and new technology will be developed to deal with the health problems faced by soldiers in inaccessible areas.

Armed Forces Center for Computational Medicine at IIT Kanpur:

• Armed Forces Center for Computational Medicine established at IIT Kanpur Armed Forces Medical College, which is the first center of its kind among the medical colleges of the country. For this, it will also provide technical expertise to develop AI diagnostic models. Under this agreement, both the institutions will do the following work together:
  • Under this MoU there will be exchange of faculties.
  • And will organize joint educational activities.
  • Plans will also be made for development of training modules by both the institutes.
• Speaking on the occasion, Lieutenant General Daljit Singh said that AFMS is dedicated to providing the highest level of medical care to the soldiers. Collaboration with institutions of national importance like IITs is an important step towards this commitment.
• Professor S. Ganesh stressed the need for inter-professional collaboration and use of advanced technologies like computational medicine and AI in healthcare.

About Armed Forces Medical Services (AFMS):

• AFMS is an inter-service organization under the Ministry of Defence. AFMS supports the Indian Armed Forces in dealing with health related issues. AFMS came into existence in the year 1948.
• The Director General of the Armed Forces Medical Services is a three-star officer who heads the Armed Forces Medical Services.
• The Director General Armed Forces Medical Services heads the entire AFMS. The Directors General of Medical Services of the Army, Navy and Air Force are responsible for overseeing the functioning of the hospitals of the respective services. He is also the Medical Advisor to his respective Chief of Staff.

About Armed Forces Medical College (AFMC):

• Armed Forces Medical College (AFMC) is a premier medical institution in Pune, India. AFMC has the distinction of being the first prestigious medical college established by the armed forces of any country in Asia.
• The college is a unique institution that specifically combines medical education with training specifically related to the health care needs of the armed forces.