Army Medical Corps Raising Day is celebrated on April 3, the anniversary of the Army Medical Corps’ founding. The Army Medical Corps is a specialist corps in the Indian Army that primarily provides medical services to all Army personnel, veterans, and their families.
This special corps is responsible for the Indian Army’s healthcare, including providing medical support during peacetime for service personnel, ex-servicemen, and their dependents.
Army Medical Corps | Photo: Representative/ ANI
What are the Armed Forces Medical Services in the Indian Army?
The Army Medical Corps (AMC) is a specialist corps that forms part of the Indian services along with the Indian Army, Indian Navy and Air Force. The AMC was established by merging the Indian Medical Service (IMS), the Indian Medical Department (IMD), and the Indian Hospital Corps (IHC) on April 3, 1943.
However, the AFMs have a common pool that allows officers to migrate from one service to another based on requirements. The AMC conducts research and development to provide better healthcare. The corps also provides medical aid during natural disasters at the national and international levels. The corps also participates in UN peacekeeping missions.
Motto of Armed Forces Medical Services
The motto of the Armed Forces Medical Services is “Sarve Santu Niramaya,” which means “Let all be free from disease.”
A brief history of the Army Medical Corps
The Army Medical Corps was originally founded in India in 1764 during the British colonial era. At that time, it was known as the Indian Medical Service. This service was formed to treat British soldiers stationed in India. The Indian Medical Service was officially renamed the Indian Army Medical Corps in 1898 after having served the British Army for many years.
In 1918, during World War I, the British Army’s Army Medical Services, which encompassed the Indian Army Medical Corps, were merged to establish the Royal Army Medical Corps.
