New Delhi, June 2: Union Health and Family Welfare Minister JP Nadda addressed the second convocation ceremony at AIIMS Bathinda on Tuesday, congratulating the graduating students as they embark on their professional journeys. He praised the institute’s growing contributions to tertiary healthcare, medical education, and research.
Nadda commended the students for successfully completing their academic journey, describing the ceremony as a moment of pride and celebration for the students, their parents, faculty members, and the entire AIIMS Bathinda family.
He highlighted the rapid progress of the institute and its role in providing healthcare services in the region. AIIMS Bathinda currently treats approximately 3,000 outpatient department (OPD) patients and around 600 inpatients daily, while maintaining the high standards and reliability associated with the AIIMS brand.
The Union Health Minister also appreciated AIIMS Bathinda’s community outreach initiatives, which include hosting ‘Ayushman Camps’ twice a month in 59 nearby villages, where citizens are screened for non-communicable diseases such as diabetes, hypertension, and cancer.
He noted that through telemedicine services, mobile medical units, rural awareness campaigns, and healthcare access programs, the institute is making significant contributions to public health, moving beyond hospital-based care.
Highlighting the transformative impact of healthcare reforms initiated under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership, Nadda stated that India’s healthcare approach has evolved from a primarily ‘curative model’ to a comprehensive framework that includes preventive, promotive, rehabilitative, palliative, and geriatric care.
He mentioned that over 182,000 ‘Ayushman Arogya Mandirs’ are now serving as the first point of contact for healthcare services across the country.
Emphasizing the government’s focus on preventive healthcare, he encouraged all individuals over 30 to undergo regular screenings through panchayats, ASHA workers, and frontline health workers. He provided updates on the progress of these initiatives, noting that over 360 million people have been screened for oral cancer, over 170 million women for breast cancer, and over 90 million women for cervical cancer. Additionally, more than 420 million individuals have been screened for diabetes and hypertension, while a nationwide tuberculosis screening campaign is also underway.
Discussing the importance of health in nation-building, Nadda asserted that the dream of a ‘Developed India 2047’ can only be realized through a healthy and productive population. He emphasized that while governments can provide infrastructure and modern facilities, healthcare ultimately relies on the dedication, efficiency, and compassion of doctors and health professionals. He remarked that while infrastructure may be the hardware of healthcare, health professionals are its software.
He noted that the development of healthcare is among the Punjab government’s priorities and highlighted the expansion of healthcare infrastructure in the state.
The Union Health Minister also pointed out the unprecedented expansion of India’s medical education system over the past decade. The number of AIIMS institutions has increased to 23, while the number of medical colleges has risen from 387 to over 820. The number of undergraduate (UG) medical seats has grown from approximately 59,000 to over 128,000, and postgraduate (PG) seats have increased from about 31,000 to over 86,000.
He further stated that the government is committed to adding 75,000 UG and PG medical seats over the next five years, with around 23,000 seats already established in the past two years.
Nadda also highlighted India’s significant achievements in public health, including the declaration of the country as polio-free in 2014 and the elimination of maternal and neonatal tetanus in 2015. He noted that trachoma is no longer a public health concern in the country, and substantial progress has been made toward the elimination of kala-azar, leprosy, and lymphatic filariasis.
AIIMS Bathinda’s Chairperson, Prof. (Dr.) Neerja Bhatla, welcomed the Union Health Minister and expressed gratitude for the institute’s continuous guidance and support.
She emphasized that under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visionary leadership, the government has made unprecedented efforts to make healthcare more inclusive, accessible, and affordable, marking the expansion of the AIIMS network across the country as a historic step towards ensuring quality healthcare for all.
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