Pune: Lieutenant General Sandeep Thareja, SM, VSM, has officially relinquished command of the Armed Forces Medical College (AFMC) and is set to assume the prestigious role of Director General Medical Services (Air) in the Indian Air Force. With this transition, he will take on the rank of Air Marshal, bringing with him over 38 years of distinguished service in military medicine.
Throughout his career, Lt. Gen. Thareja has held multiple high-profile academic, clinical, and administrative positions. His extensive contributions include serving as a Medical Specialist with the United Nations Mission in Sierra Leone (UNAMSIL) and holding leadership roles at major military hospitals such as Base Hospital Delhi Cantt, Command Hospital (Western Command), and Army Hospital Research & Referral, New Delhi.
As Senior Consultant (Medicine) at DGAFMS, he played a pivotal role in policy formulation and medical advancements. During the COVID-19 pandemic, he demonstrated exceptional crisis management as Brigadier IC Administration & Commander Troops at Base Hospital Delhi Cantt, ensuring uninterrupted healthcare services amid unprecedented challenges.
Pioneering Research and Technological Advancements at AFMC
As Commandant of AFMC, Lt. Gen. Thareja championed academic excellence, translational research, and innovation. Key achievements under his leadership include:
Expansion of the Department of Medical Research, with new research facilities
Establishment of a Regional Resource Center for Health Technology Assessment (September 2024)
Inception of the DHR-ICMR Advanced Molecular Oncology Diagnostic Services (DIAMOnDS) and an in-house Next Generation Sequencing facility (January 2025)
Promotion of clinical and operational research, leading to AFMC’s selection as an ICMR Center for Advanced Research for Biomedical Devices
Development of a Common Tri-Service Medical Classification for Disabilities
His tenure also saw significant technological advancements, including the launch of SMART Classrooms, AR/VR-based training, Smart Wards, and innovations in multiple clinical departments.