The Armed Forces Medical Services (AFMS) is set to deploy drone technology to deliver blood bags, medicines, and medical equipment to remote and hilly regions, announced Surgeon Vice Admiral Arti Sarin, Director General of AFMS, during a commissioning ceremony at the Armed Forces Medical College (AFMC) in Pune on Saturday.

Speaking on the sidelines of the event, Vice Admiral Sarin highlighted AFMS’s push to integrate cutting-edge technologies like telemedicine, Artificial Intelligence (AI), point-of-care devices, and drones to enhance healthcare delivery. “We are exploring drone technology for supplying blood bags, medicines, and other equipment, with hopes of eventually conducting medical evacuations using drones,” she said. A pilot project is under consideration for challenging terrains where access is limited, drawing inspiration from non-military agencies already using similar technology.

The AFMS is also overseeing the health of all four astronauts in the Axiom-4 mission to the International Space Station. “The Institute of Aviation Medicine is providing primary healthcare in the US, with a Group Captain stationed in Houston to monitor the crew’s health,” Sarin added, referencing astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla’s participation in the mission.

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At the ceremony, five medical cadets were commissioned, with one joining the Indian Air Force and four entering the Indian Army, according to an AFMC release. The institute emphasized its commitment to research and innovation, bolstered by collaborations with leading national and international institutions. These partnerships have fostered breakthroughs, positioning AFMC as a hub for advanced medical education.

AFMC’s state-of-the-art Genome Sequencing Laboratory, equipped with Next-Generation Sequencing platforms, is driving progress in genetic diagnostics and therapy. The lab supports research in inherited diseases, oncology, transplant medicine, and reproductive health, enabling precise diagnosis of rare disorders and molecular profiling of cancers. The Department of Medical Research and Multi-disciplinary Research Unit have launched over a dozen molecular research projects, the release noted.

Additionally, AFMC has integrated medical simulation into its training curriculum, replicating real-life scenarios to enhance practical skills. Lt Gen Pankaj Rao, AFMC Commandant, underscored the adoption of technological advancements across medical fields, from prevention to treatment, as a cornerstone of the institute’s mission.

The drone initiative and ongoing innovations signal AFMS’s commitment to revolutionizing healthcare access and delivery, particularly in India’s most inaccessible regions.

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