“Learning is a lifelong process, only those who keep learning, continue to grow in both their profession, as well as their lives.” This was stated by Union Minister of Health and Family Welfare Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya as he presided over the 3rd convocation ceremony of AIIMS Rishikesh today. The event was attended by Ministers of State for Health and Family Welfare Dr. Bharati Pravin Pawar, and Prof. SP Singh Baghel, Minister of Finance for Uttarakhand, and the Member of Legislative Assembly from Rishikesh, Shri Premchand Aggarwal, and the Uttarakhand Higher Education Minister Dhan Singh Rawat.

As part of the convocation ceremony. the Union Health Minister, alongwith Dr. Bharti Pravin and Prof S.P Singh Bhagel distributed Ph.D degrees and  awarded  gold medals to meritorious students of AIIMS Rishikesh.

Congratulating students at the convocation, the Union Health Minister urged them to wholeheartedly take up the opportunity of service and responsibility that medical science brings. Dr. Mandaviya highlighted the role played by faculty, and families in ensuring the success of these students, and said that this was a day of celebration for them, as well as the students. Dr. Mandaviya lauded the crucial role a doctor plays in the progress of the country by making health affordable and accessible for all. He emphasized that our sense of responsibility should align with our service to humanity, accentuating that a healthy society makes for a healthy nation. The Union Health Minister reiterated that health in India is not a matter of commerce but one of service. He further added, “People of our country see doctors as messengers of God. We respect and value our doctors immensely.”

Speaking on the occasion, Dr. Mandaviya stressed that the world has many health models, however India should develop it’s own health model which is aligned with Indian genetics, and continental patterns of diseases relevant to its geography. The Health Minister also affirmed his confidence in the medical education system of India. Urging their participation, he cited that medical education in collaboration with the government will play a profound role in making healthcare affordable and accessible for the underserved by way of instilling empathy in the upcoming healthcare fraternity. He further encouraged healthcare professionals to serve in the districts and villages of India which will serve to illustrate the nuances of providing healthcare as a service to the nation and building a healthier tomorrow for all.

The foundation stone for 150 bedded Critical Care block under PM ABHIM was laid as part of the event. The Journal on Medical Evidence, the Institute Anthem, the magazine Swasthya Chetna were also released at the event.

This was followed by the inauguration of Cath Lab, ICU, Mammography and Digital Radiography Machine at Government Doon Medical College, Dehradun, by Dr. Mandaviya, in the presence of the Chief Minister of Uttarakhand, Shri Pushkar Singh Dhami, and Union minister of State for Health and Family Welfare, Prof. SP Singh Baghel. The event was attended by Rajya Sabha MP Shri Naresh Bansal, and Uttarakhand Minister for Health, and Higher Education, Shri Dhan Singh Rawat, as well as several MLAs from Uttarakhand. This was followed by a visit of the Cath Lab facilities at the Medical College. This is the first government Cath Lab facility in Uttarakhand.

At the Doon Medical College, Dr. Mandaviya said, “We are seeing increased facilities for medical education in India, with MBBS seats in the country now 1,07,000, and around 700 medical colleges set up across the country.” He further added, “It shows that we are building a necessary ecosystem of healthcare in India with doctors, nurses, paramedics, hospitals, medical colleges, as well as quality and affordable treatment.”

Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya is on a two-day visit to Dehradun, as part of the Swasthya Chintan Shivir being held in the state. The Swasthya Chintan Shivir is expected to see participation from Health Ministers from all states, and UTs, as well as senior officials of the Health Ministry.