Health minister Nadda addresses ILBS 10th convocation, highlights hardware-software approach to strengthen medical education

New Delhi: Union Health Minister Jagat Prakash Nadda recently highlighted the Centre's rapid expansion of medical education and healthcare infrastructure while addressing the 10th Convocation of the Institute of Liver and Biliary Sciences (ILBS) in New Delhi.

Congratulating the students, Nadda described ILBS as a globally recognised centre of excellence in liver care, education and research.

He said the institute has played a significant role in raising awareness about fatty liver disease through its clinical services, research and public outreach.

Addressing the graduating students, Shri Jagat Prakash Nadda described the convocation as a momentous occasion in their academic and professional journey. Congratulating the graduating class, he said that they were privileged to receive their degrees from a globally recognised and renowned institution such as the Institute of Liver and Biliary Sciences (ILBS), which has earned distinction for excellence in patient care, medical education, research and innovation.

Highlighting the Institute's contributions to public health, Shri Nadda said that ILBS has emerged as a cornerstone in creating awareness about fatty liver disease among households across the country. Through its pioneering clinical services, research and public outreach, the Institute has significantly enhanced understanding of fatty liver disease, its risk factors, prevention and long-term health implications.

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The Union Health Minister emphasized that the Government, under the visionary leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, has adopted a comprehensive approach towards strengthening medical education by focusing on both its "hardware" and "software".

Explaining the approach, he said that while the "hardware" comprises world-class infrastructure, medical institutions and healthcare facilities, the "software" represents the enabling ecosystem, policy framework and academic environment that empower students, researchers and healthcare professionals to excel. He remarked that the true strength of a nation's healthcare system lies not merely in creating institutions, but in building an ecosystem where excellence can flourish.

Underscoring the transformative impact of policy reforms, Shri Nadda stated that students must appreciate how visionary policymaking and a supportive ecosystem together create lasting change. He noted that at the end of the twentieth century, India had only one AIIMS. During the tenure of former Prime Minister Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee, six more AIIMS were approved. Since then, under the leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, sixteen new AIIMS have become operational, taking the total number of AIIMS in the country to twenty-three.

The Union Minister further highlighted the unprecedented expansion of medical education infrastructure across the country. He informed that the number of medical colleges has increased from 387 to 818. Similarly, undergraduate medical seats have risen from around 50,000 to over 1.20 lakh. Referring to the Prime Minister's announcement from the Red Fort, Shri Nadda said that the Government has set a target of creating an additional 75,000 undergraduate medical seats over the next five years, and that nearly 25,000 seats have already been added, reflecting steady progress towards achieving this objective.

He further stated that postgraduate medical seats have expanded from approximately 30,000 to over 80,000, significantly strengthening the availability of specialist doctors in the country.

Shri Nadda stated that to provide quality healthcare to nearly 1.5 billion people, it is essential to strengthen the very foundation of the healthcare delivery system. In this context, he highlighted the establishment of more than 1.85 lakh Ayushman Arogya Mandirs across the country, describing them as the first point of contact for citizens seeking healthcare services. He said these centres have transformed the country's approach towards comprehensive primary healthcare by placing equal emphasis on preventive, promotive, curative and rehabilitative care.

The Union Minister observed that the vision of a Viksit Bharat cannot be realised without a Swasth Bharat. He stressed that preventive healthcare, early screening and timely diagnosis will remain central pillars of India's healthcare strategy in the years ahead.

Addressing the graduating students, Shri Nadda remarked that pursuing super-speciality education is both a privilege and a responsibility. He urged them to give back to society through dedicated service, uphold the highest standards of medical ethics, preserve compassion in their professional lives, and remain committed to serving humanity with integrity and excellence. He encouraged them to shoulder the responsibility of building a healthier and stronger India through their knowledge, skills and commitment.

The convocation marked an important milestone for the graduating students, as degrees and academic distinctions were conferred upon candidates from various super-speciality and allied disciplines in liver diseases, hepatology, transplant medicine and related fields.

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