AIIMS Delhi created benchmark in healthcare: President Murmu

President Droupadi Murmu on Friday said AIIMS New Delhi has created a benchmark in healthcare and medical education.

While addressing the 49th annual convocation ceremony of AIIMS Delhi on Friday, Murmu said doctors and researchers graduating today would have a pivotal role in strengthening our healthcare system and serving the nation with dedication.

Murmu highlighted that AIIMS is a proud Made-in-India success story and is a model worth emulating across the country.

“It has been at the forefront of path-breaking research, particularly during the time of pandemics like the Covid-19. The responsibility of AIIMS goes beyond healthcare, education and research. It extends to fostering an environment where every stakeholder’s voice is heard, where resources are utilised judiciously and where excellence is the norm,” she stated.

Underscoring the challenges in healthcare today, she emphasised that with advances in healthcare, life expectancy is increasing.

“As a result, the number of ageing population is increasing, leading to new challenges in this field. At the same time, the medical profession is grappling with diseases arising out of lifestyle changes in modern times. She urged the faculty of AIIMS New Delhi to launch an awareness drive on mental health to make people aware of this hidden sickness,” Murmu said.

She also exhorted AIIMS to launch a campaign to bring gender equality in healthcare protocol as it has been observed that most of the patients suffering from heart ailment and other diseases are predominantly male.

Union Health Minister JP Nadda stated that a commitment to continuous learning and growth has propelled AIIMS New Delhi to a position where it has been acing the NIRF rankings in the medical category since 2018. He said AIIMS has constantly expanded its capabilities to meet the healthcare needs of the country.

“AIIMS has established itself as a leader in AI-driven diagnostics and robotic surgery training. It is the first medical institution in India to perform several ground-breaking procedures, including a dual kidney transplant and renal auto-transplant. The institute’s commitment to research is evident in its management of over 900 extramural projects with substantial funding,” Nadda said.

Meanwhile, a total of 1,886 degrees were conferred in various disciplines, amongst which 77 were PhD scholars. As many as eight doctors received the Lifetime Achievement Award for their commendable services at AIIMS.