Bathinda (Punjab) [India], June 2 (ANI): Union Minister for Health and Family Welfare, JP Nadda on Tuesday addressed the 2nd Convocation Ceremony of AIIMS Bathinda and congratulated the graduating students on embarking upon their professional journey.
He lauded the institute’s growing contribution towards strengthening tertiary healthcare, medical education and research.
Addressing the gathering, Nadda congratulated the students on the successful completion of their academic journey and described the 2nd Convocation as a moment of pride and celebration for the students, their parents, faculty members and the entire AIIMS Bathinda fraternity. He commended the institute for its rapid growth and contribution to healthcare delivery in the region, noting that AIIMS Bathinda today caters to nearly 3,000 OPD patients and around 600 IPD patients daily while upholding the high standards and credibility associated with the AIIMS brand.
The Union Health Minister also lauded AIIMS Bathinda’s community outreach initiatives, including the organization of Ayushman camps twice every month across 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 outreach programmes, the institute is making significant contributions to public health beyond hospital-based care.
Highlighting the transformative impact of healthcare reforms introduced under the leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, Shri Nadda stated that India’s healthcare approach has evolved from a predominantly curative model to a comprehensive framework encompassing preventive, promotive, rehabilitative, palliative and geriatric care. He noted that over 1.82 lakh Ayushman Arogya Mandirs are today serving as the first point of contact for healthcare services across the country.
Emphasizing the Government’s focus on preventive healthcare, he informed that all individuals above 30 years of age are being encouraged to undergo regular screening through Panchayats, ASHA workers and frontline health personnel. Sharing the progress achieved under these initiatives, he stated that over 36 crore people have been screened for oral cancer, more than 17 crore women for breast cancer and over 9 crore women for cervical cancer. In addition, more than 42 crore individuals have been screened each for diabetes and hypertension, while a nationwide tuberculosis screening campaign is also underway.
Nadda also underscored the importance of quality healthcare delivery and research, appreciating the NABL-accredited laboratories at AIIMS Bathinda. He urged the institute to emerge as a leading centre for medical research and innovation.
Nadda also highlighted India’s significant achievements in public health, including being declared polio-free in 2014 and eliminating maternal and neonatal tetanus in 2015. He noted that trachoma is no longer a public health concern in the country and that substantial progress has been made towards the elimination of Kala-azar, leprosy and lymphatic filariasis.
Concluding his address, he urged the graduating students to uphold the values and legacy of AIIMS, and as ambassadors of India’s premier medical institution, they must carry the responsibility of maintaining the highest standards of professional excellence. He encouraged them to embrace emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence, precision medicine and telemedicine while ensuring that compassion, empathy and the human touch remain at the core of patient care. (ANI)
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