New Delhi: The President of India, Droupadi Murmu, graced the first convocation of AIIMS Bilaspur in Bilaspur, Himachal Pradesh, today.
Speaking on the occasion, the President mentioned that the primary objective of the medical profession should be to serve humanity. She highlighted that a sick person visiting a doctor carries not only the fear and uncertainty associated with their illness but also hope.
She emphasised that the empathy and compassionate behaviour of doctors give courage to the patient, apart from their knowledge and skills that treat the patient. She urged doctors to embrace sensitivity and compassion while striving for excellence in their profession.
The President said that quality medical care at a minimal cost is the hallmark of AIIMS. She said that for the people of the country, AIIMS signifies medical treatment by the nation's most competent doctors. She said that many AIIMS have been established across various parts of the country with the objectives of enabling a larger number of people to benefit from this trust and allowing more meritorious students to receive top-tier medical education and serve the nation.
Murmu said that AIIMS Bilaspur bears a special responsibility due to its geographical location. Delivering quality healthcare services on time to populations residing in the remote areas of Himachal Pradesh is a multi-faceted challenge. She said that AIIMS Bilaspur must emerge as a premier center for advanced tertiary healthcare. She highlighted the need to strengthen healthcare services in hilly areas by leveraging telemedicine, specialist consultations for remote areas, training of medical personnel, and the use of the latest technologies.
The President said that for the common people, bearing the cost of medical treatment for a serious illness imposes a heavy financial burden. To alleviate this hardship faced by vulnerable sections of society, the Government of India provides health insurance cover of up to Rs 5 lakh per family per year under the ‘Ayushman Bharat-Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana’.
The President said that providing quality healthcare to the citizens at an affordable cost is a collective responsibility. The rising cost of medical equipment and medicines poses a serious challenge for patients and their families. Developing affordable, accessible, and cost-effective healthcare solutions presents both a challenge and an opportunity for premier institutions like AIIMS. Through such efforts, our citizens will remain healthy and be able to contribute to the nation's progress to their full potential.
