A very interesting and informative keynote address was delivered by Lt General CS Narayanan, VSM, PHS, Dy Chief (Medical) & Senior Colonel Commandant HQ, Integrated Defence Staff, Ministry of Defence, GoI, who spoke on the multi-faceted and significant role played by armed forces medical sources to improve and enhance public health. Through his presentation, he illustrated the difficulties faced in delivering healthcare to the army personnel who are deployed in the most crucial circumstances. He elaborated on their significant efforts towards various aspects of public healthcare; for instance health surveillance, immunisation, disaster management, first responders systems, managing aftermaths of calamities, improving medical preparedness in India, etc. The fact that they often have to do it in hostile conditions and difficult terrains made their work even more worthwhile. He also highlighted the contribution of armed forces in healthcare policy making as well.
In addition, he briefed the audience about the historical background of the armed forces across nations and how the public healthcare system in the armed forces evolved. He mentioned about the involvement of armed forces in public healthcare around the globe and across centuries, citing examples of James Lindt, Sir Ronald Ross, Walter Reed along with the origins of the Red Cross and WHO.
He threw light on the various programmes, one such example included the ship to shore telemedicine system comprising 112 ships. The telemedicine initiative was also presented to the president and received huge government support in taking it forward. He also mentioned that National Telemedicine day will be celebrated on March 24 in Army Hospital in Delhi. He further highlighted the contributions of AFMC stating it “being a cradle for teaching and research.”
Moreover, he added, “Due to our special status, the government grants armed some special powers. In the National Organ Transplant Act wherein the Director General Armed Forces has been given powers to frame policy for sharing organs anywhere in India which is otherwise state specific.”
He further touched upon a few other aspects involving contributions to communicable diseases, non-communicable diseases, epidemic control, activities in education research, some aspects of national policy making and more.
In conclusion, he stated that armed forces strive to be leaders in national policy making and partner with various organisations. He added that, “Public healthcare delivery in context of the armed forces stretches far beyond the envelope of water, environment, vectors, vaccines and hygiene. More than what we do, where we do and how we do it is what that defines us.”
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