Rishikesh: Union Minister for Health and Family Welfare, Jagat Prakash Nadda, presided over the fifth convocation ceremony of the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), Rishikesh, on Tuesday. Addressing the gathering, Nadda congratulated the graduating students and emphasized that convocation marks a significant milestone, celebrating the hard work and achievements of the students.
Highlighting the Central Government’s commitment to accessible and quality healthcare for all, Nadda reiterated that ensuring affordable healthcare for every underprivileged citizen remains a top priority. He underlined the remarkable progress made in the field of medical education and healthcare services in recent years.
“At the beginning of this century, India had only one AIIMS. Today, 22 AIIMS institutions are operational across the country, transforming the landscape of medical education and healthcare delivery,” he said.
Lauding the accomplishments of AIIMS Rishikesh, the Minister stated that the institute has established itself as a center of excellence. He praised the institute for its innovative use of helicopter and drone services, which saved 309 critical patients, and its effective use of telemedicine platforms like e-Sanjeevani to reach remote and underserved areas.
The Union Minister highlighted the government’s broader achievements in the health sector, noting that 1.75 lakh Ayushman Arogya Mandirs have been established across India to deliver comprehensive wellness services. Over the past decade, medical infrastructure has seen a significant boost, with a 101% increase in the number of medical colleges—now totaling 780—and a 130% rise in MBBS seats, along with a 138% increase in postgraduate medical seats. Furthermore, 157 new nursing colleges are being set up alongside medical colleges to address the growing demand for trained paramedical staff.
During the convocation, Nadda urged young doctors to serve society with compassion, integrity, and dedication. He noted that the government invests Rs 30–35 lakh in training each MBBS student and encouraged graduates to take on greater responsibilities as they embark on their medical careers.
As part of the event, several new health facilities were inaugurated at AIIMS Rishikesh, including an Integrated Medicine Unit under AYUSH, a PET Scan machine in the Department of Nuclear Medicine, a PACS facility in Radiology, and an Advanced Pediatrics Centre in Pediatric Care.
The ceremony saw the conferment of degrees and medals to 434 graduates across various disciplines. This included 98 MBBS students, 95 B.Sc (Hons) Nursing students, 54 B.Sc Allied Health Sciences students, 109 MD/MS/MDS students, 17 M.Sc Nursing students, 1 M.Sc Medical Allied Sciences student, 12 Master of Public Health students, 40 DM/MCh students, and 8 PhD scholars. Ten outstanding students were awarded gold medals for academic excellence.
