Armed Forces Medical College Explained

Armed Forces Medical College
Image Upright:.7
Motto:Sanskrit: सर्वे सन्तु निरामयाह (Sanskrit)
Mottoeng:Let all be healthy
Director:Lieutenant General Sandeep Thareja [1]
Dean:Major General Giriraj Singh
Budget:
Academic Staff:325
Students:1,242 [2]
Undergrad:749
Postgrad:493
Country:India
Coordinates:18.5071°N 73.892°W
Campus:Large city
190acres
Free Label1:Newspaper
Free1:Medical Journal Armed Forces India
Free Label2:Acronym
Free2:AFMC

thumb|upright=1.1|AFMC main buildingThe Armed Forces Medical College (AFMC) is a leading medical training institute in Pune, India, in the state of Maharashtra. The college is managed by the Indian Armed Forces.[3]

Established in May 1948 as a post-graduate teaching institution after World War II on the recommendation of the BC Roy Committee, remnants of various Indian Army Medical Corps units were amalgamated to create the Armed Forces Medical Services. The AFMC undergraduate wing was established on 4 August 1962, which is also celebrated annually as AFMC Day by its alumni.

The institution primarily imparts training to medical undergraduates and postgraduates, dental postgraduates, nursing cadets and paramedical staff. Patient care forms an integral part of its training curriculum and the attached hospitals benefits from the expertise available at AFMC. The institution is responsible for providing the entire pool of specialists and super specialists to the Armed Forces. The college is also involved in conducting research in various medical subjects as well as those aspects which would affect the morale and performance of the Armed Forces both in war and peace.

History

The facility was originally Set up in 1944 by Lt. Colonel Darshan Singh Vohra to provide artificial limb, appliances and deliver rehabilitative care to the gallant soldiers of the Indian Army, who lost their limbs in combat. Post independence the AFMC was expanded further in 1948 in the immediate post-world war period. On the recommendations of the BC Roy Committee, remnants of the Indian Army Medical Corps units were amalgamated into one unit to create the Armed Forces Medical College.[4] Over the past 50 years, it has grown in its functions. The "Graduate Wing" of AFMC was established on 4 August 1962. The aim of starting this wing was to increase the intake of medical graduates into the Armed Forces. The graduate wing was affiliated to the University of Pune until 1999 but presently affiliated to the Maharashtra University of Health Sciences. The college is recognised by the Medical Council of India for conducting a five-year and six-month teaching programme leading to MBBS degree. The first batch passed out in Oct 1966, under one of its founding members, Commandant Maj Gen Noshir Karani. General Karani was Commandant till 1969. It also conducts post graduate courses in many disciplines.

One of the first plastic surgery departments in India was established at the college in the early 1950s.

On May 1, 2023 In a press conference director general Lt Gen Daljit Singh, told that AFMC will get the status of Institute of national importance in the coming years[5]

On December 1, 2023 during its platinum jubilee year, President Droupadi Murmu, granted the President's Colour also known as 'Rashtrapati Ki Nishaan' to Armed Forces Medical College (AFMC).It is the highest honour conferred upon any military unit.[6]

Admission

A total of 150 students are admitted for undergraduate MBBS course, 115 boys and 30 girls and five foreign nationals.[7] Admission is on the basis of the National Eligibility and Entrance Test (formerly through the AIPMT exam), followed by an interview and medical examination . Ten seats are reserved for ST/SC candidates.[8] Students are not allowed to be married or to marry during the course, and are liable to serve in the medical services of the Armed Forces, on successful completion of MBBS.[7] Permanent Commission Officers after serving for a minimum 4 years as Captain can opt for post graduation studies, while short service commission officers can opt for it after 7 years of their service. For admission in post graduation courses, marks obtained NEET PG is taken in account

Residence halls

The college is fully residential with separate hostels for boys and girls. Residence in the hostels is mandatory for all the cadets for the entire duration of the course. The Boys Hostel is housed in a building which was built in 1965 and comprises 6 blocks of three floors each. There are a total of 277 rooms of approximately area (single-seaters) and 162 rooms of approximately area (double seaters). All the rooms are fully furnished. The girls' hostel was constructed in 1984 and can accommodate 130 cadets in 70 single-seater and 30 double seater rooms. The new Boys Hostel has four blocks with four floors each having 18 spacious rooms with balconies. The officers' floors for officers pursuing their post graduation courses have been incorporated into the boys hostel. Subsidised messing is provided to all medical cadets. The Central Cadets Mess was opened in 2009 for all cadets to dine together.

Infrastructure

There are facilities for sports, including tennis, squash, basketball, and a swimming pool. Canteen facilities for defence personnel are also extended to the medical cadets. It has two auditoria named Dhanvantri and Bharadwaj where high-profile medical conferences are held. AFMC also works as a hospital for civilians and is collaborated with the command hospital (SC).

Departments

Rankings

Type:University and college
It M 2022:3
Outlook M G 2022:11

AFMC was ranked 11 among government medical colleges in India in 2022 by Outlook India and third among medical colleges in India in 2022 by India Today. and

Non-academics

AFMC provides broad-based non-academic exposure too. Students are encouraged to participate in sports and many have excelled in this arena. There are a large number of societies and clubs like the Student Scientific Society, Computer Club, Hobbies Club, Debating Club, Adventure Club, Dance Club and Musimatics. where students can pursue extra-curricular interests. They are encouraged to participate in competitions and conferences all over the country for development of all round personality and officer like qualities. They have also won many laurels in debates, quiz contests and youth festivals in Pune and outside. Over 6000 doctors have graduated from AFMC until now. Recently the entire hostel has been given WiFi connectivity.

Research

Various departments take up research projects either under departmental sponsorship or under the auspices of Armed Forces Medical Research Committee (AFMRC).[9] Apart from service-oriented projects, research in clinical and laboratory subjects is also carried out. AFMC has the facility for animal house, hatcheries for disease producing insects. AFMC is a research and referral centre for confirmation of disease, identification of pathogens (viral and bacterial) and classification of blood disorders.

Affiliations

Affiliated hospitals include Command Hospital (Southern Command), Military Hospital (Cardio Thoracic Centre), Artificial Limb Centre and Military Hospital (Khadki). The college is affiliated to Maharashtra University of Health Sciences.

Notable alumni

See also

External links

[14]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Lt Gen Sandeep Thareja takes charge as Director & Commandant of AFMC Pune. Pune Pulse. 11 July 2024.
  2. Web site: NIRF 2024 . AFMC, PUNE.
  3. News: Lt Gen Naithani takes charge as AFMC director. 2 December 2019. The Indian Express. 14 January 2020.
  4. Web site: Welcome to Armed Forces Medical College. 2 October 2013.
  5. News: AFMC expected to get Institute of National Importance tag within 6 months: DGAFMS Lt Gen Daljit Singh . The Indian Express May 1, 2023 20:36 IST . May 1, 2023.
  6. News: AFMC . 1 December 2023 . The Hindu Bureau . The Hindu.
  7. Web site: MBBS Course. www.afmc.nic.in. 19 November 2017.
  8. Web site: MBBS Course 2020 Information Brochure. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20201102190615/https://www.afmc.nic.in/ADVT/G3InfoBrochureAFMCMBBS2020.pdf . 2 November 2020 .
  9. Web site: AFMRC Research Activities. www.afmc.nic.in. 1 May 2018.
  10. News: Sharma. Gitanjali. Woman in command. 11 October 2017. The Tribune. 12 September 2004.
  11. News: Ramachandran. Smriti Kak. PBG man wins medals at the World Medical & Health Games. 11 October 2017. The Hindu. 21 July 2012. en-IN.
  12. Web site: Secretary Profile. Department of Health Research. 11 October 2017.
  13. Web site: Why Captain Anshuman Singh Was Awarded The Kirti Chakra. NDTV. 12 July 2024.
  14. Web site: Welcome to Armed Forces Medical College.