Appointment of Lt. Gen. Sandeep Thareja as Director of AFMCAppointment of Lt. Gen. Sandeep Thareja as Director of AFMC Lieutenant General Sandeep Thareja, an eminent alumnus of the Armed Forces Medical College (AFMC), has been appointed as its new director and commandant. This prestigious position comes after an exemplary career spanning 37 years in the Indian Army. Exceptional Qualifications Lt. Gen. Thareja holds a distinguished academic record, including an MD in Medicine, a DM in Gastroenterology from AIIMS, New Delhi, and an M Phil in Defence and Strategic Studies from the National Defence College. Distinguished Career Throughout his career, Lt. Gen. Thareja has held various leadership roles, including Medical Specialist with the United Nations Mission in Sierra Leone, Senior Advisor (Medicine) in military hospitals, and Commandant of the Command Hospital (Central Command). Notably, he led exceptional healthcare services during the COVID-19 pandemic while serving as Brigadier IC Adm and Cdr Troops at Base Hospital Delhi Cantt. Key Contributions As Senior Consultant (Medicine) at the Office of the Director General Armed Forces Medical Services, Lt. Gen. Thareja played a crucial role in shaping healthcare policies such as the Armed Forces Cancer Registry, Disability Pension Board, Agniveer Medical Policy, and Performance Audit of Military Hospitals. Honors and Awards In recognition of his exceptional service, Lt. Gen. Thareja has been awarded the prestigious ‘Vishisht Seva Medal’ twice, in 2011 and 2024, and the ‘Sena Medal’ in 2022.
Lieutenant General Sandeep Thareja was on Thursday appointed director and commandant of the Armed Forces Medical College (AFMC) in Pune.
An alumnus of AFMC, Lt Gen Thareja began his exemplary career in the Indian Army with his commission in 1986. He holds an MD in Medicine from Army Hospital (R&R), New Delhi (1997), and a DM in Gastroenterology from AIIMS, New Delhi (2005), where he was honoured as the best DM student. To further enhance his qualifications, he obtained an M Phil in Defence and Strategic Studies from the National Defence College, New Delhi in 2018.
During his 37-year career, he has held numerous distinguished academic, clinical and administrative positions. Notable positions include Medical Specialist at the United Nations Mission in Sierra Leone (UNAMSIL), Senior Advisor (Medicine) & Gastroenterology at various military hospitals and Commandant of the Command Hospital (Central Command). His administrative prowess was particularly evident during his tenure as Brigadier IC Adm and Cdr Troops at Base Hospital Delhi Cantt where he led exceptional healthcare services during the Covid-19 pandemic. In addition, he played a pivotal role in preparing the Detailed Project Report (DPR) for a new Command Hospital.
Prior to his current appointment, General Thareja was Senior Consultant (Medicine) at the Office of the Director General Armed Forces Medical Services, New Delhi. There, he played a pivotal role in shaping key healthcare policies including the Armed Forces Cancer Registry, Guide to Medical Officers, Disability Pension Board, Agniveer Medical Policy, Common Tri-service Medical Classification for Disabilities, Biosensors, Performance Audit of Military Hospitals and Genomic Sequencing in the Armed Forces.
In recognition of his dedication and exceptional services, General Thareja was awarded the ‘Vishisht Seva Medal’ twice, in 2011 and 2024, and the ‘Sena Medal’ in 2022.
Published: Thursday, July 11, 2024, 4:23 PM IST
