President Murmu Attends AIIMS Bilaspur Convocation, Says Medicine Must Serve Humanity

President of India Droupadi Murmu today attended the first convocation ceremony of the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), Bilaspur, in Bilaspur, Himachal Pradesh. Addressing the ceremony, she said that the main purpose of the medical profession should be to serve humanity.

President Murmu said that when a sick person approaches a doctor, the person comes not only with fear and uncertainty related to the illness, but also with hope. She said that a doctor identifies the disease through knowledge and treats it through skill. However, the doctor’s sensitivity and compassionate behaviour give courage to the patient.

The President urged doctors to strive for excellence in their profession while also adopting sensitivity and compassion in their conduct. She emphasised that medical knowledge and technical skills are important, but a patient’s experience also depends on the way a doctor understands and treats the person.

President Murmu said that quality medical treatment at minimum cost is the identity of AIIMS. For the people of the country, AIIMS stands for treatment by the country’s most capable doctors. She said that several AIIMS institutions have been established in different parts of the country so that more and more people can benefit from the trust associated with AIIMS and a larger number of meritorious students can receive high-quality medical education and serve the country.

The President said that because of its geographical location, AIIMS Bilaspur has a special responsibility. Reaching timely and quality healthcare services to the population living in remote areas of Himachal Pradesh is a multi-dimensional challenge, she said.

She said AIIMS Bilaspur should emerge as a leading centre for advanced tertiary healthcare. The President also underlined the need to strengthen healthcare services in the hilly areas through telemedicine, specialist consultations for remote regions, training of medical personnel and the use of the latest technologies.

According to the President, the cost of medical treatment becomes extremely difficult for ordinary people to bear when they face a serious illness. She said that the Government of India provides health insurance of up to 5 lakh rupees per family per year under the ‘Ayushman Bharat-Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana’ to help reduce the difficulties faced by weaker sections of society.

President Murmu said that ensuring quality medical facilities for the people at an affordable cost is everyone’s responsibility. The rising prices of medical equipment and medicines are a serious challenge for patients and their families, she said.

She said developing affordable, accessible and low-cost healthcare solutions is both a challenge and an opportunity for leading institutions such as AIIMS. The President said that such efforts would help the people of the country remain healthy and enable them to contribute to the country’s progress to their full potential.

At the first convocation ceremony of AIIMS Bilaspur, President Murmu therefore highlighted both the responsibility and the opportunity before premier medical institutions. She said that institutions such as AIIMS must continue working towards accessible, affordable and quality healthcare while preparing capable medical professionals to serve the country.