AIIMS Bhubaneswar has won the trust of people in the field of quality health care within a decade not only in Odisha but also in adjoining states by fulfilling the mandate of equalizing the regional imbalance in tertiary health care delivery said Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya, Union Minister of Health and Family Welfare addressing the students of AIIMS Bhubaneswar on their 4th Convocation ceremony

Dharmendra Pradhan, Union Minister for Education and Skill Development & Entrepreneurship; Dr. Bharati Pravin Pawar, Union Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare; and Aparajita Sarangi, Member of Parliament were also present.

Speaking on the occasion, Dr. Mandaviya said, “Whether in teaching, research or health care, AIIMS Bhubaneswar has earned laurels in every sector.”

Congratulating students on the convocation, the Union Health Minister urged them to wholeheartedly take the opportunity of service and responsibility that medical science brings.

Reiterating the commitment of the union government towards improving healthcare services, Dr. Mandaviya said, “The number of AIIMS in the country has increased from 8 before 2014 to 23 at present,”

He said, “50 crore families have been given health security under the Ayushman Bharat – PMJAY scheme while affordable and quality medicines are being provided by more than 9,000 Jan Aushadhi Kendras across the country.”

While mentioning the AB-PMJAY, he urged the state government to implement the scheme in the state so that the eligible beneficiaries of Odisha can avail of the benefits of the scheme not only in the state but other states too.

Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya along with Dharmendra Pradhan and Dr. Bharati Pravin Pawar inaugurated the much-awaited state-of-the-art NTPC Burn Centre for the public. The Union Health Minister also laid the foundation stone of Critical Care Hospital Building.

Dr Mandaviya and Dharmendra Pradhan awarded 40 gold medals to meritorious students of AIIMS Bhubaneswar from different disciplines like DM/MCh (4 scholars), MD/MS (10), MBBS (17), BSc Nursing (6) and BSc Paramedical (3).

Pradhan congratulated students of AIIMS Bhubaneswar on their achievements and motivated them to take more responsibility ahead. Appreciating the rapid strides made by the institute, Pradhan said, “It is a matter of pride that within ten years, AIIMS Bhubaneswar has emerged as the second-best AIIMS in the country and the 26th best medical institution in the country, as per the NIRF rankings.”

Pawar noted that AIIMS Bhubaneswar has made a mark in kidney transplantation operations and is making rapid strides in other surgeries as well.

She said, “AIIMS Bhubaneswar always comes to mind when one thinks of the top medical institutions in the country today.”

She emphasized that investment in health enhances a country’s progress. She also encouraged the young doctors to take more responsibility in the spirit of humanity.

Manohar Agnani, Additional Secretary, Health Ministry; Prof. (Dr.) Ashutosh Biswas, Director, AIIMS Bhubaneswar; Prof. (Dr.) Subrata Kumar Acharya, President, AIIMS Bhubaneswar; Prof. (Dr.) Prasanta Ranjan Mohapatra, Dean, AIIMS Bhubaneswar; and senior officials of the Health Ministry were present during the occasion.