New Delhi: Defense Minister -Rajnath Singh On Monday laid the foundation stone of new infrastructure for ophthalmology, oncology and joint replacement centers at Army Hospital (Research and Referral) and Base Hospital, Delhi Cantonment.Speaking at the 262nd Army Medical Corps Raising Day ceremony, Rajnath said, “Military medical services within the country and neighboring countries have emerged as a powerful testament to India’s soft power.” Encouraging the Army Medical Corps, he said, “Innovation, capacity building and integration of advanced technology is necessary to meet the emerging military medical challenges.”The state-of-the-art facilities at the Army Hospital (Research and Referral) will aim to significantly enhance the tertiary care capabilities of the Armed Forces Medical Services (AFMS), especially in the area of ​​advanced eye care, cancer treatment and complex joint replacement surgeries, while new infrastructure is being developed at the Base Hospital to create a bed capacity of 998 beds with an additional 100 crisis extension beds to meet the routine and emergency health care needs of Defense Forces personnel.Rajnath said, “In today’s world, security is not just about protecting the borders; health security is equally important. Strong medical support plays a vital role in the success of major operations like Operation Sindoor. When soldiers are assured that they will have access to quality medical facilities in every situation, they can confidently accomplish their missions.”