From One to Twenty-Three AIIMS: Health Minister Nadda Showcases India’s Expanding Medical Infrastructure

The health minister said that the country has grown from one AIIMS to 23 over the past decade, demonstrating the government’s commitment to extending quality healthcare and medical education across all regions.

Union Minister of Health and Family Welfare J.P. Nadda has recently addressed the 50th Annual Convocation Ceremony of the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) New Delhi, commending the institution’s contribution to advancing medical science, education, and patient care in India.

Highlighting India’s expanding healthcare landscape, the health minister said that the country has grown from one AIIMS to 23 over the past decade, demonstrating the government’s commitment to extending quality healthcare and medical education across all regions.

He further noted that the number of medical colleges has increased from 387 to 819, while undergraduate medical seats have risen from 51,000 to 1,29,000, and postgraduate seats from 31,000 to 78,000. An additional 75,000 seats are expected to be added over the next five years.

The Minister also underlined significant improvements in public health indicators, noting that the Maternal Mortality Ratio (MMR) has dropped from 130 to 88, and the Infant Mortality Rate (IMR) from 39 to 27, as per Sample Registration System (SRS) data. He added that India has achieved a 17.7% decline in tuberculosis incidence, over twice the global reduction rate of 8.3%, as reported by The Lancet.

Concluding his address, Minister Nadda encouraged graduates to pursue academics and research, uphold the AIIMS legacy, and remain lifelong learners committed to serving society with compassion and professionalism.

At the ceremony, NITI Aayog Member Prof. V.K. Paul also urged students to “let excellence become your daily practice and innovation your guiding principle,” emphasizing the importance of contributing to a ‘Viksit Bharat’ through teaching, knowledge, and compassion.

During the event, degrees were conferred upon 326 graduates, including 50 Ph.D. scholars, 95 DM/MCh specialists, 69 MDs, and 15 MSs. Seven doctors received Lifetime Achievement Awards for their exemplary service to AIIMS.

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