Pune: The Armed Forces Medical College (AFMC), Pune, is organising the 67th Annual Armed Forces Medical Conference, which includes in its ambit the 57th Armed Forces Medical Research Committee (AFMRC) meeting from February 5 to 8, 2019. 

This conference is the largest gathering of armed forces medical personnel and the only multi-specialty conference of its kind in the country.

“A highlight of the conference will be a special session on innovation and creativity in health care practice and delivery within the Armed Forces. AFMC is in the process of setting up a dedicated research wing, which is likely to be approved during this AFMRC. This will provide much required impetus for increasing the scope of multidisciplinary and collaborative research and has been on the cards for the past two years,” a press release from AFMC stated.

The four-day conference, organised by AFMC Pune under the overall supervision of Surg Vice Admiral Ravi Kalra, Director & Commandant, will discuss a wide spectrum of professional issues concerning the Armed Forces Medical Services (AFMS).
 
The release further stated, “New ideas and processes are the driving force behind innovation and invention. A special session on creativity has been planned during this conference. Serving officers, post graduate students and even undergraduate students of AFMC were encouraged to put forward innovative ideas, products and processes that could be put to practice. From the various entries received, some of the best will be showcased and also given awards on February 7.”

Specialists Conferences

• According to AFMC authorities, specialists’ conferences will be held separately by the various departments of AFMC for practicing specialist officers of their respective disciplines. Brainstorming on possible future core areas of research will be carried out. 
• They will also review completed research projects of their own disciplines.
• February 8, 2019, will have a special session devoted to perspective challenges where medical administrative issues will be discussed with a view to improving quality of healthcare as well as development of human resources within the AFMS.

What is Armed Forces Medical Research Conference

• At the core of the deliberations will be the 57th Annual meeting of Armed Forces Medical Research Committee (AFMRC) on February 6 and 7. This forum provides direction and impetus to medical research in the Armed Forces. This year, more than 170 new research proposals will be discussed. AFMC, Pune, has submitted 50 new research projects.
• The committee has gradually expanded in its scope and mandate over the years. Armed Forces doctors are now collaborating with the best brains in the world to carry out research, which is beneficial not only within the Armed Forces but also of relevance to medical professionals all over.
• “The realms of medical care and technology are ever increasing and the challenge is even more daunting for military doctors, as they need to balance combat medical care along with high standard of medical care during peace time to the large population of serving personnel, their families and dependents. This yearly conference helps in identifying core areas of military medical research and bringing forward the research that has been carried out within the Armed Forces, which could benefit the military community and positively impact clinical and public health practice,” the release further stated.