Union Health Minister J.P. Nadda addressed the 50th Annual Convocation Ceremony of the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) New Delhi on Saturday, lauding the institution’s global stature in medical education, research, and patient care. Congratulating the graduating students, he urged them to serve with empathy, uphold ethical standards, and embrace innovation to address India’s evolving healthcare needs.
Nadda highlighted the remarkable growth in India’s medical infrastructure over the past decade. He noted that while the country had only one AIIMS at the turn of the century, today there are 23 AIIMS institutions, reflecting the government’s commitment to expanding quality healthcare and medical education nationwide. He further stated that the number of medical colleges has surged from 387 to 819 in the last 11 years, with undergraduate medical seats increasing from 51,000 to 1,29,000 and postgraduate seats from 31,000 to 78,000. The minister announced plans to add 75,000 more seats across undergraduate and postgraduate levels in the next five years.
The minister also showcased India’s strides in public health, citing a decline in the Maternal Mortality Ratio (MMR) from 130 to 88 and the Infant Mortality Rate (IMR) from 39 to 27, as per Sample Registration System (SRS) data. The Under-5 Mortality Rate (U5MR) and Neonatal Mortality Rate (NMR) have also dropped by 42% and 39%, respectively, surpassing global benchmarks. Additionally, Nadda referenced a Lancet report indicating a 17.7% reduction in TB incidence in India, more than double the global rate of 8.3%.
In his address, Nadda encouraged the graduates to contribute to academics and research while upholding AIIMS’ prestigious legacy through professional excellence and compassion. He emphasized the importance of lifelong learning and innovation in advancing medical science and serving society.
Prof. V.K. Paul, Member, Niti Aayog, also spoke at the event, urging graduates to embrace excellence and innovation as guiding principles. He called on them to join academia to inspire future healthcare professionals, contributing to the vision of a developed India, or ‘Viksit Bharat,’ through knowledge, compassion, and continuous learning.
The ceremony saw 326 graduates receiving degrees, including 50 Ph.D. scholars, 95 DM/MCh specialists, 69 MDs, 15 MSs, 4 MDSs, 45 MSc, 30 MSc (Nursing), and 18 M.Biotech graduates. Seven doctors were honored with Lifetime Achievement Awards for their exemplary contributions and dedicated service to AIIMS.