Air Marshal Sandeep Thareja assumed the appointment of the 47th Director General Armed Forces Medical Services (DGAFMS) today. In his new capacity, he will spearhead the Armed Forces Medical Services (AFMS) and oversee the delivery of comprehensive and responsive medical support to the Defence Forces.
His assumption of appointment comes at a pivotal juncture for the AFMS, with continued focus on operational medical preparedness, jointness, modernisation of military healthcare, digital health, medical research and innovation, human-resource development, and delivery of quality healthcare to serving personnel, veterans and their dependants.
An alumnus of Armed Forces Medical College (AFMC), Pune, Air Marshal Thareja was commissioned into the Army Medical Corps in December 1986. A distinguished physician and gastroenterologist, he holds an MD in Medicine from Delhi and a DM in Gastroenterology from AIIMS, New Delhi.
During a distinguished career spanning nearly four decades, Air Marshal Thareja has held a wide range of clinical, academic, operational and administrative appointments. His key command and staff assignments include Commandant, 167 Military Hospital; Brigadier In-Charge Administration and Commander Troops, Base Hospital Delhi Cantt; and Commandant, Command Hospital (Central Command).
During his tenure at Base Hospital Delhi Cantt, he played a key role in managing complex and rapidly evolving healthcare and administrative challenges during the COVID-19 pandemic. As Commandant, Command Hospital, Lucknow, he oversaw the preparation of the Detailed Project Report for a new Command Hospital in record time.
As Director and Commandant, AFMC Pune, Air Marshal Thareja spearheaded several initiatives aimed at strengthening medical education, training and research. Subsequently, as DGMS (Air), he provided significant impetus to the medical and human-support dimensions of the Gaganyaan Mission, including pioneering efforts involving analogue experiments, astronaut selection and training.
Under his stewardship, the BHISHM (Bharat Health Initiative for Sahyog Hita & Maitri) medical cubes were deployed as part of India’s humanitarian assistance and disaster relief efforts, including support to Maldives, Jamaica, Cuba, Sri Lanka and Myanmar.
Prior to assuming the appointment of DGAFMS, Air Marshal Sandeep Thareja paid homage to the nation’s fallen heroes by laying a wreath at the National War Memorial, New Delhi.
With his extensive operational, clinical, academic and administrative experience, Air Marshal Thareja brings a wealth of expertise to the leadership of the AFMS and is poised to further strengthen its capabilities in support of the operational effectiveness, health and well-being of the Armed Forces.
