Govt committed to add 75,000 medical seats in 5 years, 23,000 already established: Health Minister JP Nadda at AIIMS Bhatinda convocation
New Delhi: "Government is committed to adding 75,000 more UG and PG medical seats over the next five years, with nearly 23,000 seats already established during the last two years," the Union Minister for Health and Family Welfare, Shri JP Nadda, recently stated during the 2nd Convocation Ceremony of AIIMS Bathinda.
In his address, the minister said that the number of AIIMS institutions has increased to 23, medical colleges have grown from 387 to over 820, undergraduate medical seats have increased from about 59,000 to more than 1.28 lakh, and postgraduate seats from around 31,000 to over 86,000.
He congratulated the graduating students on embarking upon their professional journey. He lauded the institute's growing contribution towards strengthening tertiary healthcare, medical education and research.
Addressing the gathering, Shri J.P. Nadda, Shri Nadda congratulated the students on the successful completion of their academic journey and described the 2nd Convocation as a moment of pride and celebration for the students, their parents, faculty members and the entire AIIMS Bathinda fraternity. He commended the institute for its rapid growth and contribution to healthcare delivery in the region, noting that AIIMS Bathinda today caters to nearly 3,000 OPD patients and around 600 IPD patients daily while upholding the high standards and credibility associated with the AIIMS brand.
The Union Health Minister also lauded AIIMS Bathinda's community outreach initiatives, including the organization of Ayushman camps twice every month across 59 nearby villages, where citizens are screened for non-communicable diseases such as diabetes, hypertension and cancer. He noted that through telemedicine services, mobile medical units, rural awareness campaigns and healthcare outreach programmes, the institute is making significant contributions to public health beyond hospital-based care.
Highlighting the transformative impact of healthcare reforms introduced under the leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, Shri Nadda stated that India's healthcare approach has evolved from a predominantly curative model to a comprehensive framework encompassing preventive, promotive, rehabilitative, palliative and geriatric care. He noted that over 1.82 lakh Ayushman Arogya Mandirs are today serving as the first point of contact for healthcare services across the country.
Emphasizing the Government's focus on preventive healthcare, he informed that all individuals above 30 years of age are being encouraged to undergo regular screening through Panchayats, ASHA workers and frontline health personnel. Sharing the progress achieved under these initiatives, he stated 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. In addition, more than 42 crore individuals have been screened each for diabetes and hypertension, while a nationwide tuberculosis screening campaign is also underway.
Shri Nadda also underscored the importance of quality healthcare delivery and research, appreciating the NABL-accredited laboratories at AIIMS Bathinda. He urged the institute to emerge as a leading centre for medical research and innovation.
Underscoring the importance of health in nation-building, Shri Nadda stated that the vision of Viksit Bharat@2047 can only be realized through a healthy and productive population. He emphasized that while governments can provide infrastructure and modern facilities, healthcare ultimately depends on the dedication, competence and compassion of doctors and healthcare professionals. Describing doctors as the true strength of the healthcare system, he remarked that infrastructure may constitute the "hardware" of healthcare, but healthcare professionals are its "software". He further noted that Punjab remains a priority for the Government in healthcare development and highlighted the expansion of healthcare infrastructure in the state.
The Union Health Minister highlighted the unprecedented expansion of India's medical education ecosystem over the past decade. He noted that the number of AIIMS institutions has increased to 23, medical colleges have grown from 387 to over 820, undergraduate medical seats have increased from about 59,000 to more than 1.28 lakh, and postgraduate seats from around 31,000 to over 86,000. He further informed that the Government is committed to adding 75,000 more UG and PG medical seats over the next five years, with nearly 23,000 seats already established during the last two years.
Shri Nadda also highlighted India's significant 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 the elimination of Kala-azar, leprosy and lymphatic filariasis.
Concluding his address, He urge the graduating students to uphold the values and legacy of AIIMS, and as ambassadors of India's premier medical institution, they must carry the responsibility of maintaining the highest standards of professional excellence. He encouraged them to embrace emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence, precision medicine and telemedicine while ensuring that compassion, empathy and the human touch remain at the core of patient care.
Speaking at the Occasion, Prof. (Dr.) Neerja Bhatla, President, AIIMS Bathinda, welcomed the Union Health Minister and expressed gratitude for his continued guidance and support to the institution. She highlighted that under the visionary leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, the Government has undertaken unprecedented efforts to make healthcare more inclusive, accessible and affordable, with the expansion of the AIIMS network across the country emerging as a landmark step towards achieving quality healthcare for all.
Highlighting the achievements of AIIMS Bathinda, Prof. Bhatla noted that 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. She emphasized that AIIMS Bathinda is committed to the holistic development of its students and strives to nurture healthcare professionals who combine clinical excellence with compassion, ethics and a spirit of service.
During his visit, the Union Health Minister inaugurated a state-of-the-art Positron Emission Tomography–Computed Tomography (PET-CT) facility and a second High Energy Linear Accelerator (HELA) unit, significantly enhancing AIIMS Bathinda’s capabilities in cancer diagnosis and treatment. These advanced facilities will enable early detection, accurate diagnosis and precision-based cancer care, benefitting patients across Punjab and neighbouring states.
Furthermore, strengthening specialized healthcare services at the institute, Shri Nadda also inaugurated a dedicated Burns Intensive Care Unit (Burns ICU), equipped with advanced infrastructure to provide comprehensive critical care and treatment for patients suffering from severe burn injuries. He also dedicated the Child Development and Early Intervention Centre (CDEIC) to the community. The first facility of its kind in the region, the CDEIC will play a crucial role in the early identification, diagnosis and management of developmental disorders and disabilities among children, thereby improving child health outcomes.
Underscoring the importance of holistic well-being in the healthcare ecosystem, the Union Health Minister also inaugurated the Gymnasium and Wellness Centre at AIIMS Bathinda, aimed at promoting physical fitness, mental wellness and a healthy lifestyle among students, faculty and staff.
Shri Vijay Nehra, Additional Secretary, MoHFW; Prof. (Dr.) Ratan Gupta, Executive Director AIIMS Bathinda; Prof. Rajeev Ahuja (Director, IIT Ropar), Dr. Yogender Malik, and Prof. Kamlesh Upadhyay, graduating students, faculty members, healthcare professionals, and Parents were also present at the event.
