On 3rd April 2023, the Indian Army celebrated the 259th Raising Day of Army Medical Corps(AMC), specialist corps in the Indian Army which primarily provides medical services to all Army personnel(serving and veterans along with their families).
The AMC raising day marks the foundation day of AMC and pays tribute to the medical personnel who have sacrificed their lives in the line of duty.
History of Indian Medical Service:
i.The history of the Indian Medical Service (IMS) dates back to 1612, on the fomation of East India Company, they commenced employing Military Surgeons from 1745 onwards.
ii.After 1764, these surgeons were made into regular establishment of the company’s armies.
iii.The Bengal Medical Service was formed in 1764, the Madras Medical Service in 1767 and the Bombay Medical Service in 1779 for the three Presidency Armies of Bengal, Madras and Bombay respectively.
iv.In April 1886, the 3 medical services were combined into one Indian Medical Services (IMS) under a Surgeon General to the Government of India.
Background of Indian Army Medical Corps:
i.The Indian Army Medical Corps (IAMC) came into existence as a homogeneous corps of officers and men on the pattern of the Royal Army Medical Corps on 3rd April 1943.
ii.It was formed by the amalgamation of the Indian Medical Service (IMS), Indian Medical Department (IMD) and Indian Hospital Corps (IHC).
- In May 1943, the IHC headquarters at Poona(Now Pune,Maharashtra) became the Administrative Headquarters of the IAMC.
iii.The IAMC was re-designated as Army Medical Corps with effect from 26 Jan 1950.
AMC Significance:
The AMC comprises about 6,000 Medical Officers including specialists, 300 Non-Technical Officers, 3,500 Nursing Officers, 50,000 Junior Commissioned Officers/Other Ranks and 9,000 defence civilian employees.
Motto of AMC: “Sarve Santu Niramaya” meaning “Let all be free from disease and disability”
Role of AMC:
AMC provides both peacetime and combat health care to the defence forces, medical services to United Nations(UN) peacekeeping forces in foreign missions and during disaster management to civil authorities.
Walkathon:
On 2nd April 2023, the AMC organised a Walkathon as a part of the celebration of its 259th Raising Day.
- The Walkathon was organised by Military doctors and their families was flagged off by Lieutenant General Daljit Singh from Cariappa Parade Ground, Delhi, New Delhi.
About Armed Force Medical Services(AFMC):
AFMS consists of Army Medical Corps (AMC) including AMC (Non-Technical(NT)), Army Dental Corps (AD Corps) and Military Nursing Service (MNS).
Director General of AFMC– Vice Admiral Rajat Datta
