In a historic milestone for gender representation in the Indian Armed Forces, Surgeon Vice Admiral Arti Sarin was appointed as the Director General of the Armed Forces Medical Services (DGAFMS) on Tuesday, making her the first woman to hold this esteemed position. Sarin’s appointment marks a significant moment in the history of military medicine in India, as she becomes the 46th person to lead the DGAFMS, following a line of male predecessors.
The Ministry of Defence highlighted Sarin’s role in inspiring young women to pursue careers in the armed forces, calling her a “shining icon” for the government’s Nari Shakti initiative, aimed at empowering women across various sectors. At 60 years old, Sarin will oversee the AFMS for a term of two years.
Prior to her current role, Sarin was the head of the Navy’s Medical Services Directorate. Her extensive career includes serving as the Director General Medical Services (Air) and holding the position of director and commandant at the Armed Forces Medical College (AFMC) in Pune. Sarin’s expertise in radiodiagnosis and radiation oncology has been honed through her MD from AFMC, training at Tata Memorial Hospital in Mumbai, and advanced training in Gamma Knife surgery from the University of Pittsburgh, USA.
Sarin’s appointment follows the historic elevation of Lieutenant General Sadhna Saxena Nair as the first female Director General Medical Services (Army) two months earlier, further highlighting the increasing representation of women in high-ranking military roles.
In her 38-year career, Sarin has held numerous prestigious academic and administrative positions. She has served as a professor and head of radiation oncology at Army Hospital (Research & Referral) and the Command Hospital (Southern Command)/AFMC Pune. She has also commanded INHS Asvini and worked as a command medical officer in both the Southern and Western Naval Commands.
In addition to her leadership roles, Sarin has recently been appointed as a member of a national task force established by the Supreme Court. This task force was formed in response to the tragic rape and murder of a female resident doctor at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital in Kolkata, which ignited widespread protests from the medical community. The task force aims to develop an action plan for preventing violence against medical professionals and ensuring safe working conditions for all healthcare staff.
With her groundbreaking appointment, Vice Admiral Arti Sarin is set to pave the way for future generations of women in military medicine, embodying the spirit of progress and empowerment within the Indian Armed Forces.
Sources By Agencies