Lt Gen Sandeep Thareja to take charge as Director General Medical Services (Air)

Pune: In a significant development, Lieutenant General Sandeep Thareja has been appointed as the Director General Medical Services (Air) on secondment to the Air Force holding the rank of Air Marshal.

Dr Thareja, who was previously appointed as the Director and Commandant of the Armed Forces Medical College (AFMC) in Pune, in July 2024 officially stepped down from the position on February 2, 2025.

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An official statement issued on Monday as reported by the Indian Express, stated, "Throughout an illustrious career spanning over 38 years, the General Officer has held a series of distinguished academic, clinical, and administrative appointments, leaving an indelible mark on the field of military medicine."

Congratulating Lieutenant General Sandeep Thareja for the achievement, the official 'X' handle of the Director General Armed Forces Medical Services (DGAFMS), the apex medical organization of the Armed Forces, said, "Under his leadership, in a brief span of six months, AFMC underwent a transformation with establishment of modern facilities for cadets and staff, introduction of newer training & research capabilities like the #DIAMOnDS lab pioneering Next-Gen Sequencing for Oncology, SMART Classroom for PG training, AR/VR-based training & 3D modelling as well as Health Technology Assessment Center for policy & research."

Lt Gen Thareja's journey in the Indian Army began in 1986. He completed his 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. Further enhancing his credentials, he earned an M Phil in Defence and Strategic Studies from the National Defence College, New Delhi, in 2018.

During his previous tenure as the senior consultant, he was instrumental in influencing important healthcare policies such as 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.

Moreover, he also held numerous distinguished academic, clinical, and administrative roles. 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 acumen was evident in multiple leadership roles, including Commandant of 167 Military Hospital, Brigadier IC Administration and Commander Troops at Base Hospital Delhi Cantt, and Commandant of Command Hospital (Central Command), notably, during his tenure as Brigadier IC Administration and Commander Troops at Base Hospital Delhi Cantt during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Lt Gen Thareja's exceptional service has earned him numerous accolades, including the Vishisht Seva Medal (2011 and 2024) and the Sena Medal (2022). These awards reflect his dedication, leadership, and contributions to Military Medicine.

ARMEDiCON 2025, the 73rd Armed Forces Medical Conference, was successfully organized under his leadership, showcasing technological innovations such as medical logistics drones, Multiutility Utility Legged Equipment ‘Sanjay’, Yodharakshak challenge, Undergraduate research, patient safety and soft skills panel discussions.

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