AFMC, IISc sign pact to develop combat medical technologies for frontline troops

Pune: The Armed Forces Medical College (AFMC) on Thursday signed a memorandum of understanding with the Indian Institute of Science, Bengaluru, to undertake advanced research on medical tools and equipment to enhance healthcare delivery to troops deployed in remote and high-risk border areas.The partnership, a first by the Armed Forces Medical Services (AFMS), will focus on developing cutting-edge solutions in what experts term "combat medicine", which will address challenges unique to military operations.
Navakanta Bhat, dean of the division of interdisciplinary sciences at IISc, described the collaboration a "game changer". "We will jointly work on solutions to improve healthcare delivery in combat scenarios. Research will cover the development of medical tools, equipment, emerging technologies, and contemporary challenges faced by troops in extreme environments," he said.IISc's bioengineering department had already worked on niche areas such as advanced wound-healing technologies, and similar expertise would now be extended to defence-specific medical needs, Bhat said.Vice Admiral Arti Sarin, AFMS Director General, said the armed forces are increasingly looking to leverage technology to overcome logistical and operational constraints."We are already planning to use drones for medicine supply in remote locations and to expand telemedicine services across difficult terrains. This MoU is a crucial step in that direction. IISc will provide bioengineering solutions, while our doctors will define real-time operational requirements," she said.Under the agreement, AFMS doctors will also be eligible to pursue PhDs at IISc in the coming years.AFMC Commandant Lt Gen Pankaj Rao said the institution had already set up an innovation cell focused on developing medical tools relevant to military service."This collaboration will allow our cadets and doctors to work closely with engineering experts to design equipment that directly addresses field requirements. All AFMC departments will work in tandem with IISc faculty members," he said.On digital health evolution, Vice Admiral Sarin claimed AFMS is systematically embracing digital transformation to enhance efficiency, transparency, and quality of care."We are implementing multiple digital platforms which will create an integrated digital backbone for medical governance. We are also developing a standardised health information management system across all three services. Telemedicine services are being strengthened through an upgraded module with specialist consultations. Our onboarding with the Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission will further enable secure health data integration," she said."Currently, several telemedicine nodes are operational, and this network is expanding in collaboration with ISRO's space applications centre. Digital health, for us, is not merely about technology — it is about improving access, continuity, and patient-centricity across all terrains and operational environments," she added.The MoU was signed by Vice Admiral Sarin and senior faculty members of IISc.