Vice Admiral Dilip Raghavan Takes Charge of Armed Forces Medical Services

Surgeon Vice Admiral Dilip Raghavan has assumed the appointment of Director General Hospital Services (Armed Forces), marking his elevation to one of the Indian Armed Forces’ key medical leadership positions, officials said on Wednesday.

Raghavan brings more than three decades of experience in military medicine, specialist healthcare, medical education and hospital administration to the new assignment. His career has included several important operational, instructional and command responsibilities across the Indian Navy and Armed Forces Medical Services.

He joined the Armed Forces Medical College (AFMC), Pune, in 1985 and completed his MBBS in 1989. He was subsequently commissioned into the Indian Navy in December 1989. Early in his career, he served as a Commissioning Medical Officer aboard INS Jamuna and later as Medical Officer at INS Mandovi.

Raghavan went on to specialise in Ear, Nose and Throat (ENT) medicine, completing his MS in ENT from AFMC, Pune, in 1998. He later undertook a two-year fellowship in ENT Microsurgery and Cochlear Implant Surgery at the Madras ENT Research Foundation in Chennai.

His professional career has spanned specialist and teaching appointments at INHS Asvini and AFMC Pune. At AFMC, he played a key role in establishing the Bionic Ear Centre, contributing to the development of advanced ENT and cochlear implant services within the Armed Forces medical system.

Between 2018 and 2021, Raghavan served as Professor and Head of the Department of ENT at AFMC, Pune, combining clinical expertise with medical education and training.

His leadership experience also includes serving as Command Medical Officer of the Southern Naval Command and Commanding Officer of INHS Asvini, Mumbai, one of the Armed Forces’ prominent hospitals.

During his tenure at INHS Asvini, the hospital was awarded the Raksha Mantri Trophy for the Best Command Hospital, highlighting the institution’s performance under his command.

With his appointment as Director General Hospital Services (Armed Forces), Raghavan will now assume a senior leadership role in the military medical establishment, drawing on his extensive experience in specialist care, medical education, hospital management and command.