Union Health and Family Welfare Minister JP Nadda addressed the 50th convocation of Delhi AIIMS on Saturday. During this, he congratulated the students and appreciated the unique contribution of AIIMS in advancing medical science, education and patient care in India.

Union Health Minister JP Nadda urged young doctors to serve with compassion, maintain the highest values ​​of ethics and use innovation to meet the emerging healthcare needs of the country.

Regarding Delhi AIIMS, JP Nadda said, “AIIMS has created a distinct identity for itself in the field of medical science, training and healthcare not only in India but also at the global level.”

Referring to the progress made in India’s health and medical education sector in the last decade, JP Nadda said that at the end of the last century there was only one AIIMS in the country, whereas today 23 AIIMS are functioning across India. This reflects the government’s commitment to ensure that quality health services and medical training reach every region of the country.

He further said that in the last 11 years, the number of medical colleges in the country has increased from 387 to 819. Similarly, undergraduate medical seats have increased from 51 thousand to 1.29 lakh and post graduate seats have increased from 31 thousand to 78 thousand. JP Nadda also said that in the next 5 years, additional 75 thousand seats will be added at undergraduate and post graduate level.

The Union Health Minister pointed out that India has also made progress in the maternal and child health sector, where as per SRS data, the Maternal Mortality Rate (MMR) has reduced from 130 to 88 and the Infant Mortality Rate (IMR) has reduced from 39 to 27. Under-5 mortality rate (U5MR) and neonatal mortality rate (NMR) have also declined by 42 per cent and 39 per cent respectively, which is higher than the global average.

Citing The Lancet report, he further said that TB cases in India have declined by 17.7 percent, which is almost double the global rate of 8.3 percent.

Degrees were awarded to 326 graduates during the ceremony, which included 50 PhD scholars, 95 DM-MCh specialists, 69 MD, 15 MS, 4 MDS, 45 MSc, 30 MSc (Nursing) and 18 M.Biotech graduates. Additionally, 7 doctors were honored with Lifetime Achievement Awards for their contribution and dedicated service to AIIMS.