Uttarakhand: Union Minister JP Nadda reached the 5th convocation of Rishikesh AIIMS, along with CM Dhami, awarded degrees to 434 students, 14 top students got gold medals

Union Minister for Health and Family Welfare, Jagat Prakash Nadda presided over the fifth convocation of AIIMS Rishikesh today. Addressing the gathering, Shri Nadda said that “Convocation is a special occasion that recognizes the achievements of the students.” He said that providing affordable and quality healthcare to every poor person in the country is the priority of the Central Government.

Shri Nadda highlighted the achievements of AIIMS institutions across the country in medical education and services and said that “till the beginning of this century, there was only one AIIMS in India, whereas today, there are 22 AIIMS operating in the country.” He said that AIIMS Rishikesh has created a unique identity among the healthcare institutions due to its excellent services. He reiterated the commitment of the Central Government to provide world-class healthcare services to the citizens. He said, “The government is focused on providing healthcare that is not only curative but also preventive, palliative and rehabilitative.”

Highlighting the achievements of the Central Government in the health sector, Shri Nadda said, “Today, 1.75 lakh Ayushman Arogya Mandirs are operational across the country providing various services related to health and wellness. There has been a 101 per cent increase in medical colleges in the last 10 years, and now there are a total of 780 medical colleges across the country. There has been a 130 per cent increase in MBBS seats and 138 per cent increase in PG seats.” He further said, “Similarly, to meet the needs of paramedics, 157 nursing colleges are also being set up, which will be co-located with medical colleges.”

The Union Health Minister praised AIIMS Rishikesh, saying that the institute saved 309 critical patients by effectively using helicopter and drone services. It also became one of the best institutions in the country in providing service to remote and underserved areas of the state using digital services like telemedicine (e-Sanjeevani). Concluding his address, Mr Nadda encouraged the students to do their work with compassion, honesty and dedication without any selfishness.

During the ceremony, Mr Nadda awarded gold medals and degrees to 10 medical students of MBBS, DM, MSc Nursing, BSc Nursing and BSc Allied Health Sciences programmes. A total of 434 students were awarded degrees at the convocation, including 98 MBBS students, 95 BSc (Hons) Nursing students, 54 BSc Allied Health Sciences students, 109 MD/MS/MDS students, 17 MSc Nursing students, 1 MSc Medical Allied student, 12 Master of Public Health students, 40 DM/MCH students and 8 PhD students.

‘Health services have expanded rapidly in the country in the last 10 years – Dhami

Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami, while welcoming Union Health and Family Welfare Minister and National President of Bharatiya Janata Party Jagat Prakash Nadda, said that many works have been done towards strengthening the health sector of the country. Health services have expanded rapidly in the country in the last 10 years. Be it the establishment of AIIMS across the country, implementation of National Health Policy-2017, Ayushman Bharat Yojana or increase in seats in medical colleges, India’s health system has been given a new height through many schemes and policies. He expressed his gratitude to the Union Health Minister for his continuous support for the development of health services in Uttarakhand.

‘Heli Ambulance worked to give new flight to the health sector’

The Chief Minister said that the inauguration of Picture Archiving and Communication System and Center for Advanced Pediatrics at Trauma Center in AIIMS Rishikesh will further strengthen the health services. He said that today in AIIMS Rishikesh, along with the arrangement of state-of-the-art medical examination and treatment, various types of diseases are being treated by the team of specialist doctors. Services like robotic surgery, knee transplant facility, advanced neurosurgery and radiation therapy are also being operated in this institute. Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi gave a new flight to the health sector of Uttarakhand by launching heli ambulance here. Under the guidance of the Prime Minister, the construction work of the satellite center of AIIMS Rishikesh in Udham Singh Nagar district is also going on at a fast pace.

‘More than 05 thousand gram sabhas of Uttarakhand have become TB free’

Chief Minister Dhami said that with the guidance and cooperation of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the state government is working rapidly to strengthen the health sector. A target was set to build a medical college in every district. Efforts have been made to provide affordable medicines and necessary treatment to the public through telemedicine network and Jan Aushadhi centers. 207 pathological tests are also being provided free of cost in government hospitals. So far, 29 lakh people have been given free pathological tests. More than 14 lakh people have been treated in the state under the Ayushman Bharat scheme. He said that more than 5 thousand village councils of Uttarakhand have become TB free. New hospitals will also be operated in view of the Char Dham Yatra.