Union Health and Family Welfare Minister J.P. Nadda on Tuesday called upon the graduating students of AIIMS Bathinda to uphold the highest standards of medical excellence while embracing emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence, precision medicine and telemedicine. Addressing the institute’s second convocation ceremony, Nadda described the occasion as a proud milestone for students, their families, faculty members and the entire AIIMS Bathinda fraternity.

Congratulating the graduates on completing their academic journey, the minister praised AIIMS Bathinda for its remarkable growth and contribution to healthcare services in the region. He noted that the institute now caters to nearly 3,000 outpatients and around 600 admitted patients every day, while maintaining the quality and credibility associated with the AIIMS brand.

Nadda also highlighted the institute’s efforts to take healthcare beyond hospital walls through its community outreach programmes. He commended AIIMS Bathinda for conducting Ayushman camps twice every month in 59 nearby villages, where residents are screened for non-communicable diseases such as diabetes, hypertension and cancer. He said the institute has been playing a significant role in strengthening public health through telemedicine services, mobile medical units, rural awareness campaigns and healthcare outreach initiatives.

Reflecting on the transformation of India’s healthcare system under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Nadda said the country has moved beyond a predominantly curative model to a comprehensive healthcare framework that includes preventive, promotive, rehabilitative, palliative and geriatric care. He pointed out that more than 1.82 lakh Ayushman Arogya Mandirs are currently serving as the first point of healthcare access across the country.

Emphasising the importance of preventive healthcare, the minister said regular health screenings are being encouraged for all individuals above the age of 30 through Panchayats, ASHA workers and frontline healthcare personnel. Sharing the scale of these efforts, he informed 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. Additionally, over 42 crore people have been screened for diabetes and hypertension, while a nationwide tuberculosis screening campaign is also underway.

Nadda stressed that the vision of Viksit Bharat@2047 can only be realised through a healthy and productive population. While governments can provide infrastructure and modern healthcare facilities, he said the true strength of the healthcare system lies in the dedication, competence and compassion of doctors and healthcare professionals. Describing healthcare workers as the backbone of the system, he remarked that infrastructure may be the “hardware” of healthcare, but doctors and medical professionals are its “software”.

The Union Health Minister also encouraged AIIMS Bathinda to emerge as a leading centre for medical research and innovation. Appreciating the institute’s NABL-accredited laboratories, he urged faculty and students to contribute meaningfully to research that can improve healthcare outcomes.

Highlighting the rapid expansion of medical education in India, Nadda said the number of AIIMS institutions has increased to 23, while medical colleges have grown from 387 to more than 820 over the last decade. Undergraduate medical seats have risen from around 59,000 to over 1.28 lakh, while postgraduate seats have increased from nearly 31,000 to more than 86,000. He added that the government plans to create another 75,000 UG and PG medical seats over the next five years, with nearly 23,000 seats already added during the last two years.

The minister also highlighted India’s 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 eliminating kala-azar, leprosy and lymphatic filariasis.

During his visit, Nadda inaugurated several key healthcare facilities at AIIMS Bathinda. These included a state-of-the-art Positron Emission Tomography–Computed Tomography (PET-CT) facility and a second High Energy Linear Accelerator (HELA) unit, both of which are expected to significantly strengthen cancer diagnosis and treatment services in Punjab and neighbouring states through early detection, accurate diagnosis and precision-based care.

He also inaugurated a dedicated Burns Intensive Care Unit equipped with advanced infrastructure to provide specialised treatment to patients with severe burn injuries. In another major step towards improving child healthcare, the minister dedicated the Child Development and Early Intervention Centre (CDEIC) to the community. The first facility of its kind in the region, the centre will focus on early identification, diagnosis and management of developmental disorders and disabilities among children.

Recognising the importance of physical and mental well-being within the healthcare ecosystem, Nadda also inaugurated a Gymnasium and Wellness Centre aimed at promoting fitness, mental wellness and healthy lifestyles among students, faculty members and staff.

Speaking on the occasion, Prof. Neerja Bhatla, President of AIIMS Bathinda, welcomed the Union Health Minister and thanked him for his continued support and guidance. She said the institute has emerged as a catalyst for healthcare transformation in the region through its contributions to patient care, medical education, research and community outreach. Reaffirming the institute’s commitment to nurturing compassionate and ethically driven healthcare professionals, she said AIIMS Bathinda continues to focus on producing doctors who combine clinical excellence with a strong spirit of service.

The ceremony was attended by senior government officials, faculty members, healthcare professionals, graduating students and their parents, marking another significant milestone in AIIMS Bathinda’s journey as a growing centre of excellence in healthcare, education and research.