Health Security As Vital As Border Security, Says Rajnath Singh

Emphasising the broader concept of national security, Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Monday said that health security is as critical as border security. “When soldiers are assured of strong medical support, they perform their duties with greater confidence,” he said, adding that a proactive approach to healthcare is essential for operational readiness.

Rajnath Singh said this after laying the foundation stones for specialised centers in ophthalmology, oncology, and joint replacement at Army Hospital (Research & Referral), while also inaugurating new infrastructure at Base Hospital in Delhi, marking the 262nd Raising Day of the Army Medical Corps.

The new facilities are aimed at significantly strengthening tertiary care services under the Armed Forces Medical Services (AFMS), particularly in advanced eye care, cancer treatment, and complex joint replacement procedures.

The upgraded Base Hospital infrastructure, with a capacity of 998 beds and an additional 100 crisis expansion beds, is expected to enhance both routine and emergency medical response capabilities for defence personnel.

Addressing the gathering, the Minister underscored the need for innovation, research, and adoption of modern technologies to meet emerging challenges in military medicine. He emphasised that while India has made notable progress in expanding healthcare infrastructure and access, greater focus is required on cutting-edge research and advanced medical technologies.

“While the country has made strides in areas such as cancer treatment, critical care, and expansion of institutions, we still have a long journey ahead in frontier technologies and deep research,” Singh said, highlighting the need for advancements in early cancer detection, personalised medicine, cardiovascular predictive models, and neuro-research related to mental health.

He also stressed the importance of achieving self-reliance in the pharmaceutical sector. Although India remains a major global supplier of medicines, dependence on external sources persists in high-end drug innovation and original research. Calling for a shift beyond generic drug production, he advocated for an innovation-driven ecosystem supported by startups, MSMEs, and robust clinical research infrastructure.

Highlighting the importance of clinical trials, Singh noted that in many developed countries, industry-supported trials play a crucial role in advancing treatment and innovation. He called for reforms in India’s clinical trial framework and urged the AFMS to contribute actively to research that generates new medical knowledge, beyond providing curative care.

The Defence Minister also emphasised the need for standardised clinical protocols and better knowledge-sharing systems across institutions. “Establishing a national-level data pool would enable evidence-based treatment, improve policy formulation, and help replicate successful medical practices on a larger scale,” he said, adding that such measures would help transform India’s healthcare system from reactive to proactive.

Acknowledging the heavy workload faced by medical professionals, he pointed out that doctors are often engaged in continuous patient care, leaving limited time for research, teaching, and training. He urged authorities to explore ways to balance clinical responsibilities with academic and research pursuits.

Singh further suggested upgrading existing Command and Base Hospitals across different regions to match the standards of premier institutions like Army Hospital (R&R), rather than relying solely on new greenfield projects. This, he said, would ensure wider access to high-quality healthcare for soldiers stationed across the country.

The Minister also acknowledged the role of the Military Nursing Service, describing nurses as the backbone of military healthcare. He noted that granting them ex-servicemen status upon retirement reflects the government’s commitment to their welfare.

During the visit, Singh reviewed a technology exhibition showcasing innovations in trauma care, battlefield evacuation systems, prosthetics, telemedicine, and critical care—highlighting the AFMS’s push towards modernisation and self-reliance.

He also presented the Best Hospital Trophy of AFMS to Command Hospital (Southern Command), while the second-best hospital award was conferred on INHS Asvini, recognising excellence in patient care, innovation, and administrative efficiency.

The awards recognise the two hospitals’ outstanding performance, excellence in patient care, innovation, and administrative efficiency within the network of Defence Forces hospitals.

Singh also released a book titled ‘Precision Protocols in Early Neurodevelopmental Intervention’, a significant academic contribution aimed at standardising and improving early diagnosis and intervention strategies for neurodevelopmental conditions.

Chief of Defence Staff General Anil Chauhan, Chief of the Naval Staff Admiral Dinesh K. Tripathi, Chief of the Army Staff General Upendra Dwivedi, Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh, DG AFMS Surgeon Vice Admiral Arti Sarin, Vice Chief of the Air Staff Air Marshal Nagesh Kapoor, and other senior officers were present on the occasion.