The All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), Delhi has decided to join hands with the Directorate General of Armed Forces Medical Services (DGAFMS) to advance expertise in the critical fields of high altitude medicine and space medicine.

The premier institute said the collaboration represents a strategic alliance between two leading institutions, combining academic excellence with the specialized knowledge and experience of the Armed Forces Medical Services (AFMS).

The partnership is expected to propel advancements in high altitude medicine and space medicine, benefiting not only the academic and research communities but also contributing to the overall advancement of medical knowledge and practice, it said.

AIIMS Director M Srinivas said, “This collaboration between AIIMS Delhi and Armed Forces Medical Services is a significant milestone that will undoubtedly enhance our capabilities in high altitude medicine and space medicine. I look forward to working closely with DGAFMS.”

Dr Rima Dada, Professor in charge of the Media Cell said, “The signing of the memorandum of understanding (MOU) is anticipated to take place in the coming weeks, marking the formal commencement of this collaborative venture. Both AIIMS Delhi and DGAFMS are committed to fostering a spirit of innovation, research, and academic excellence through this partnership.”

Dr Rajesh Khadgawat, Professor of Endocrinology at AIIMS, has been appointed as the Nodal Officer for this collaborative initiative.

In yet another unrelated development, the AIIMS said that to ensure safety of the occupants and to track real-time movement of staff cars, it has decided to install GPS devices in these vehicles, excluding those used by faculty/officials to visit restricted/high security areas.

According to an office memorandum, staff cars are often used to transport AIIMS’ faculty, residents, and staff for urgent patient care duties during off duty hours and sometimes even late at night. In a recent instance, which came to officials’ notice, a staff car broke down at night and the replacement car took substantial time to find its location.