Dr. M. Sai Surendar shares details of India’s first Geriatric Emergency Medicine Fellowship, a landmark step in specialist training for an ageing population.

Launching India’s First Geriatric Emergency Medicine Fellowship

Dr. M. Sai Surendar, India

A major milestone for geriatric emergency medicine in India is on the horizon with the development of a new Fellowship in Geriatric Emergency Medicine (FGEM)—a collaborative initiative aligned with the global standards and educational goals of IFEM GEMSIG.

The FGEM curriculum is currently being finalised in consultation with GEMSIG experts and is set to be officially launched at ICEM 2026. This fellowship represents a significant step in expanding specialist training in geriatric emergency care, especially in a country with a rapidly ageing population.

The one-year in-house fellowship is designed for physicians already trained in emergency medicine (MEM, MRCEM, or MD). It offers comprehensive, hands-on training in a variety of care settings, including emergency departments, ICUs, and geriatric healthcare facilities. The programme covers a full spectrum of acute and chronic conditions affecting older adults, ensuring fellows are prepared to provide high-quality, age-attuned care.

The pilot programme will launch in Chennai, South India, with an initial intake of two fellows per year. The fellowship will culminate in a structured exit examination, and once the model is established, it will be expanded to other SEMI-affiliated centres across the country.

This fellowship is a key step in building capacity and expertise in geriatric emergency medicine in India and will contribute meaningfully to the global GEMSIG mission of improving care for older adults in emergency settings.