Dr. Harsh Vardhan inaugurates 65th Foundation Day celebrations of AIIMS, New Delhi
New Delhi: Dr Harsh Vardhan, Union Minister for Health and Family Welfare and President, AIIMS presided over an event to mark the 65th Foundation Day of AIIMS, New Delhi in the presence of Sh. Ashwini Kumar Choubey, Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare.This day marks the beginning of undergraduate teaching at AIIMS and was the day the first batch of MBBS classes was held in 1956.
Congratulating the AIIMS fraternity for being ranked as number one among medical institutions by National Institute Ranking Framework (NIRF) by the Ministry of Human Resource and Development, Dr Vardhan expressed satisfaction that AIIMS, New Delhi has fulfilled the objectives of its establishment set by the Indian Parliament in 1956 during its foundation and has continually sought to achieve a high standard in healthcare services, education and research.
Dr. Harsh Vardhanalso expressed gratitude for the institution’s huge contributionduring the COVID Pandemic. He said ,”More than 5 million patients have been infected with Coronavirus but healthcare system of India has shown a great efficiency in not only providing diagnostic and management facilities but also keeping the mortality at minimum and recovery at maximum.” “I appreciate that in last 6 months, AIIMS has taken a huge responsibility of providing care to patients suffering from COVID-19, for innovating in areas of research, guiding colleagues across the country and developing new methods of teaching and communication,” he added.
On India’s fight against COVID-19, Dr. Harsh Vardhan said, “India’s continuously rising Recovery Rate and progressively falling Case Fatality Rate have proven the success of the COVID-19 containment strategy followed by all States and UTs under the dynamic guidance of ourPrime MinisterShriNarendraModi. We have successfully ramped up our testing capacity which has touched nearly 15 lakh milestone today with more than 1800 testing labs spread across the country. I have confidence in the scientific developments taking place in the field of treatment and vaccines for COVID-19 and soon India will achieve more success in our fight against COVID-19.”
Speaking at the event, Sh. Ashwini Kumar Choubeypraised the medical community for their endless and selfless efforts during COVID times. He said,“AIIMS has established high reputation and has contributed significantly in academic, research and patient care. It has attracted students from various other countries like USA, UK, Australia, Germany, etc. It is a huge achievement.” He further added that AIIMS is one of its kind institutions with its state-of-the-art facility. This Government is making efforts to spread the services of AIIMS to every nook and corner of the country.
At the function, Dr Vardhan and ShriChoubey gave away awards and medals to faculty members and graduating students. Dr Vardhan said, “This is the dream of every medical student to become a student of AIIMS. On this 65th foundation Day, I request all of you to aggressively and meticulously brainstorm some ideas which will be helpful in strengthening the medical services in India and in positioning India among top scientific nations.”
The Union Health Minister also released Research Section Manual and inaugurated an exhibition themed ‘AIIMS in COVID Times’ that highlights the contribution of AIIMS, New Delhi to deal with the Public Health Emergency. All the departments displayed exhibits on different topics includingCOVID testing and evaluation, the procedure for collection of samples and laboratory performance, COVID task force, extensive training of manpower, COVID appropriate behaviour etc.
Prof. DigambarBehera of PGIMER, Chandigarh, Prof. RandeepGuleria, Director AIIMS, Dr. Anita Saxena, Dean (Academics), AIIMS New Delhi, Dr PeushSahni, Chairman, Scientific Exhibition Committee and other senior doctors were also present at the event.