AFMC’s Health Technology Assessment Center Targets Critical Healthcare Needs of Armed Forces

Launched in September 2024, HTAC, under DHR and MoHFW, is India’s sole health technology assessment center dedicated to Armed Forces Medical Services (AFMS).

The Health Technology Assessment Centre (HTAC) at the Armed Forces Medical College (AFMC), Pune, has identified key healthcare challenges faced by the armed forces.

Seema Patrikar, principal investigator at HTAC, shared that the center is working on finalizing priority areas, including non-communicable diseases, trauma care, high-altitude medicine, vaccination strategies, and genetic studies.

These initiatives aim to conduct a comprehensive health assessment to address critical concerns effectively. Its aim is to enhance healthcare services and policies for military personnel.

Patrikar explained, “The objective is to provide better healthcare outcomes by focusing on targeted health concerns and delivering data-backed recommendations for policy development.”

In 2019, a clinical assessment by a scientific body at AFMC led to the implementation of a two-dose chickenpox vaccination program for cadets and recruits in the Indian Armed Forces.

The initiative significantly reduced hospitalizations and saved approximately 19,392 man-days for every 100,000 personnel, showcasing the practical impact of health assessments on operational efficiency.

HTAC: A National Resource for Health Interventions

Inaugurated in September 2024, HTAC operates under the Department of Health Research (DHR) within the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.

It is one of 19 health technology assessment centers in India and the only one dedicated to the Armed Forces Medical Services (AFMS).

The center facilitates the evaluation of emerging health technologies, focusing on clinical efficacy, cost-effectiveness, and socio-legal and ethical considerations.

HTAC also serves as a technical partner and resource hub for DHR, benefiting not only the armed forces but also the broader healthcare landscape in India.

Case Study: Telemedicine in Remote Regions

In 2021, HTAC conducted a health technology assessment of telemedicine applications along India's northern borders. The study included a cost analysis of telemedicine services and air transportation for casualties.

The findings aimed to identify the strengths and limitations of telemedicine to refine its implementation for remote and high-altitude regions.

The Department of Community Medicine at AFMC, under which HTAC operates, hosted a workshop in November to train policymakers and researchers in health technology assessment methodologies.

Participants included public health experts, policymakers, clinicians, and faculty from various military medical institutions.

“The focus was on enhancing capacity to use economic evaluation and systematic review methodologies, enabling the creation of effective and efficient public policies,” Patrikar highlighted.

HTAC’s mission is to deliver evidence-based recommendations for health programs, ensuring robust policies tailored to the needs of military personnel.

Patrikar also emphasized the importance of global standards and timely completion of assessments to craft foolproof strategies for health interventions.

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