New Delhi, Sep 12 (UNI) Acknowledging that the bio-terror is a real threat today, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Thursday underlined the importance of building capabilities to deal with the menace of Bio-terrorism.

Addressing the inaugural session of the 1st Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) conference of military medicine here, Mr Singh said, “I would like to underline the importance of building capabilities to deal with the menace of Bio-terrorism. Bio-terror is a real threat today. It breaks out as a contagious plague and the armed forces & its medical services have to be at the forefront of combating this menace.”

The SCO is the "alliance of the East", due to its growing centrality in Asia-Pacific, and it has also been the primary security pillar of this region, he added.

On non-conventional warfare, the minister said, “The ever advancing battle field technology has imposed a vast array of previously unrecognized challenges. Newer and non-conventional formats of warfare have further added to the complexity of existing challenges.”

He further added that the medical services of the armed forces are expected to play a vital role in identifying the challenges, defining the limits of human tolerance and suggesting strategies to mitigate the adverse health effects of such environments.

“The threat of nuclear, chemical and biological warfare further adds to the complexity of the situation. The medical professionals of the armed forces are probably uniquely equipped to deal with these deadly challenges,” the defence minister added.

He said that the important aspect of military medicine is casualty management strategies.

“As providers of combat medical support, it is incumbent upon the medical services to have clear, effective and rehearsed protocol with respect to casualty management strategies,” he added.

In the conference, Pakistan was also invited but they prefer to skip the event.



UNI ASH ADG 1517