Paperman Media (Bhubaneswar)- AIIMS Bhubaneswar successfully celebrated its 6th Convocation Ceremony today, marking another milestone in the Institute's journey of excellence in medical education, research, innovation and patient care. The ceremony witnessed the presence of Smt. Anupriya Patel, Union Minister of State for Health & Family Welfare and Chemicals & Fertilizers, Government of India, as the Chief Guest.
The event was also graced by Dr. Mukesh Mahaling, Minister of Health & Family Welfare, Parliamentary Affairs, Electronics & Information Technology, Government of Odisha.
Delivering the Convocation Address, Smt. Anupriya Patel congratulated the graduating students and encouraged them to dedicate themselves to ethical, compassionate and patient-centric healthcare. Emphasising the values associated with the medical profession, she said, “The white coat is a symbol of trust, responsibility, commitment and immense privilege. Wear it with confidence and compassion.”
Highlighting the growth and transformation of India's healthcare sector, Smt. Anupriya Patel spoke about the expansion of premier medical institutions in the country, noting that the number of AIIMS institutions has increased from 7 to 23, strengthening access to quality healthcare and medical education across the nation.
She emphasised that doctors graduating from AIIMS carry a distinctive identity, describing them as "Doctor+" because of the exceptional and unparalleled exposure they receive through world-class infrastructure, advanced medical facilities, research opportunities, expert mentorship and, above all, the values of compassion and empathy instilled during their training.
Speaking about the Government of India's initiatives towards accessible and affordable healthcare, she highlighted the impact of the Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB-PMJAY), which has enabled healthcare support for millions of beneficiaries.
The Chief Guest highlighted the growing challenge of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) and stressed that healthcare professionals must focus not only on treatment but also on prevention and early detection. She spoke about the establishment of 1.84 lakh Ayushman Aarogya Mandirs, which serve as the first point of contact for comprehensive primary healthcare services within communities.
She further highlighted India's achievement in launching the world's largest population-based screening programme, under which every individual aged 30 years and above is being screened for five major health conditions, including diabetes, hypertension, oral cancer, breast cancer and cervical cancer, describing it as a major milestone in preventive healthcare.
Speaking about digital transformation in healthcare, Smt. Anupriya Patel highlighted the role of the Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission (ABDM) in strengthening India's healthcare ecosystem through digital health initiatives.
She also noted the remarkable expansion of medical education infrastructure in the country, stating that India today has 820 medical colleges, around 1.29 lakh medical seats and approximately 85,000 postgraduate seats, providing greater opportunities for aspiring healthcare professionals and contributing to the development of a robust healthcare workforce.
She lauded AIIMS Bhubaneswar for its remarkable contributions to medical education, research and quality healthcare services, expressing confidence that the graduating students would play a vital role in advancing India's healthcare system.
State Health Minister, Dr. Mukesh Mahaling lauded the role of AIIMS Bhubaneswar in strengthening healthcare delivery in Odisha and eastern India. He appreciated the Institute’s contribution towards medical education, specialised healthcare services and research, and extended his best wishes to the graduating students for their future endeavours.
The Convocation was formally declared open by Dr. Ashutosh Biswas, Executive Director & CEO, AIIMS Bhubaneswar, with the approval of the Chief Guest. Delivering the Welcome Address, Dr. Biswas highlighted the Institute's achievements in academics, patient care, research, infrastructure development and innovation.
A total of 684 students received their degrees during the convocation. The graduating batch comprised 192 MBBS students, 163 MD/MS students, 60 DM/MCh students, 17 Post-Doctoral Fellows (PDF), 4 PhD scholars, 134 BSc (Hons.) Nursing students, 75 BSc (Hons.) Paramedical students and 39 MSc Nursing students.
In recognition of outstanding academic performance, 61 Gold Medals were presented to 32 meritorious students by the Chief Guest, in the presence of distinguished dignitaries.
Dr. Anita Saxena (President, AIIMS Bhubaneswar), Dr. Dillip Kumar Parida (Dean, Academic), and Dr. Sudipta Ranjan Singh (Registrar), also graced the occasion.
