President Murmu Attends AIIMS Bilaspur’s First Convocation Ceremony

The first convocation ceremony of the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) Bilaspur focused on the expansion of health education, medical services and research. President Droupadi Murmu attended the ceremony as the chief guest. Union Health and Family Welfare Minister JP Nadda, Himachal Pradesh Governor Kavinder Gupta and Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu were also present on the occasion.

Addressing the ceremony, Governor Kavinder Gupta congratulated the graduates on their achievement. He highlighted the important role being played by AIIMS Bilaspur in taking specialised healthcare services to people in Himachal Pradesh and its neighbouring states, particularly those living in remote and tribal areas.

The governor recalled Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s address at the time of the inauguration of AIIMS Bilaspur. He said the institute was making a wide-ranging contribution to healthcare, education and research. According to him, AIIMS Bilaspur has also strengthened Himachal Pradesh’s position in the health sector.

While extending his best wishes to the graduating students, Gupta reminded them that their degrees also brought with them a responsibility towards society and the nation. He urged the students to keep compassion, sensitivity and service at the centre of their professional lives.

The governor expressed confidence that the graduates would use their knowledge and spirit of service to contribute to the development of the country. “I am confident that these graduates of AIIMS Bilaspur will create a new identity in different parts of the country through their talent, knowledge and spirit of service, and make an important contribution to building a developed India,” he said.

Speaking at the event, Union Health and Family Welfare Minister JP Nadda expressed happiness and pride over the successful completion of the academic journey of the first batch of AIIMS Bilaspur.

Nadda spoke about the expansion of medical education in the country. He said the number of medical colleges had increased from 384 to more than 800. The number of undergraduate medical seats had also risen from 51,348 to 1.42 lakh.

The minister said the government’s target was to add 75,000 undergraduate and postgraduate medical seats by 2029. This includes an allocation of 15,000 crore rupees for the creation of 10,000 additional MBBS and postgraduate seats.

Highlighting the expansion of the AIIMS network under the visionary leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Nadda said that for several decades the country had only one AIIMS. In contrast, 16 new AIIMS had been established during the past 12 years.

He asked the audience to understand the scale of this expansion and the efforts being made to increase access to quality medical education and specialised healthcare services across the country.

Speaking about AIIMS Bilaspur, Nadda said the institute had moved beyond its initial target of 750 beds and had now reached a capacity of 776 beds. He said 26 specialties and 15 super specialties were fully operational at the institute.

The minister also highlighted the range of services available at AIIMS Bilaspur. These include complex surgical procedures, cardiac catheterisation, neurosurgery, comprehensive care, cancer care and radiotherapy services. He said this progress had been achieved over the past five years.

Nadda further said that during the past four years, the institute had recorded more than 12 lakh outpatient department consultations. The number of inpatient department admissions had also crossed 1 lakh during the same period.

The Union minister praised the faculty and staff of AIIMS Bilaspur for the rapid pace at which the institute had developed. He expressed confidence that the institute would continue to grow.

Addressing the graduating students, Nadda urged them to uphold the reputation of AIIMS Bilaspur. He also asked them to carry forward the values of excellence and service in their professional lives.

“Looking at your rapid growth, I am fully confident that very soon AIIMS Bilaspur will be at par with other AIIMS in the country,” he said.

Nadda also expressed confidence in the graduates and told them that they would provide high-quality services and work for humanity. The first convocation marked the completion of the academic journey of AIIMS Bilaspur’s first batch, while the addresses at the ceremony underlined the institute’s role in medical education, specialised healthcare and research.