New Delhi, 01 October (HS): Surgeon Vice Admiral Aarti Sareen took over as Director General of Armed Forces Medical Services (DGAFMS) on Tuesday. She is the first woman officer to take over this post. DGAFMS is directly responsible to the Ministry of Defense for overall medical policy matters related to the armed forces.

According to the Ministry of Defense, before taking over as the 46th DGAFMS, the flag officer held the prestigious posts of DG Medical Services (Navy), DG Medical Services (Air) and Director and Commandant of Pune-based Armed Forces Medical College (AFMC). She is an alumnus of AFMC, Pune and joined the Armed Forces Medical Services in December 1985.

She is an MD in Radiodiagnosis from AFMC, Pune and a Diplomate National Board in Radiation Oncology from Tata Memorial Hospital, Mumbai and has also received training in Gamma Knife Surgery from the University of Pittsburgh.

In his 38 years of service, the Flag Officer has held various prestigious academic and administrative appointments including Professor and Head, Radiation Oncology, Army Hospital (R&R) and Command Hospital (Southern Command)/AFMC Pune, Commanding Officer, INHS Ashwini, Command Medical Officer at Southern and Western Naval Commands.

The Flag Officer has the rare distinction of serving in all three branches of the Indian Armed Forces. She has experience of serving in the Indian Army from Lieutenant to Captain, Indian Navy from Surgeon Lieutenant to Surgeon Vice Admiral and Indian Air Force as Air Marshal.

In recognition of his dedication to patient care with utmost integrity and commitment, the Flag Officer was awarded the Ati Vishisht Seva Medal in the year 2024. Earlier, he has been awarded the Vishisht Seva Medal in the year 2021. She has also been awarded the Chief of Army Staff Commendation (2017), Chief of Naval Staff Commendation (2001) and General Officer Commanding-in-Chief Commendation (2013) for Distinguished Service.

The Flag Officer has recently been appointed as a member of the National Task Force by the Supreme Court to formulate safe working conditions and protocols for medical professionals. She has played a leading role in motivating young women to join the armed forces and is therefore a great icon for the Nari Shakti initiative of the Government.

Hindusthan Samachar / Indrani Sarkar