Lt Col R Datta from the AFMC, along with Brig S S Panwar whose research has been published in the Medical Journal of Armed Forces of India, is part of the projects that have a far reaching impact on health care of the military personnel in the country.

This and several other research projects have been encouraged by the Armed Forces and from February 3, almost 143 new proposals will be considered at the 57th annual Armed Forces Medical Conference at the college. This conference is the largest gathering of the military medical personnel and also includes the 47th Armed Forces Medical Research Committee (AFMRC) meeting.

If Lt Col Datta’s research has highlighted the use of saline drops as an effective way to deal with obstructive nasal symptoms for the troops in high altitude areas then researchers at AFMC are looking at various subjects including the effect of long sailing in submarines which could eventually develop a comprehensive exercise regimen for the personnel at sea.

According to the spokesperson at AFMC Lt Col A Rudra, there are a plethora of subjects that will be discussed including planning studies on effective methods to control malaria and tackling infections acquired in hospitals.

For instance, non-enemy action injuries account for about 21 per cent of total morbidity and about 17 per cent total invalidments in the armed forces. Now, a study has been planned to be carried out in field conditions to find out the preventable causes of such non enemy action injuries, says Lt Col Rudra.