AIIMS Delhi turns 60; Nadda says institute contributed in quality healthcare

Addressing the Diamond Jubilee celebration function of AIIMS Delhi, Mr Nadda stated that the institute had always maintained the highest standards of meritocracy and learning.

Mr Nadda said, “It has attracted the best talents across the country that enter this institute as young students and pass out with the intensity of commitment to serve the poorest of the poor”.

He said AIIMS was also the mentor institution for the new AIIMS like institutions being established across the country and the work done by AIIMS in formulating and reviewing subordinate legislation including the AIIMS Rules and Regulations had been commendable.

Highlighting its contribution, the Health Minister said AIIMS not only had established high reputation but also contributed significantly in academic quality, student care, infrastructure, and placement opportunities. 

“With its nine centres and 52 teaching departments, and a manpower of over 10,000 including more than 800 faculty positions, AIIMS Delhi produces a large number of specialists (MD/MS), super-specialists (DM/MCh), PhD scholars and allied health and basic sciences experts, including nurses and paramedical professionals,” he said.

Mr Nadda informed that nearly 600 research projects have been conducted in the year and the institute attracted extramural research grants of more than Rs 70 crore in frontier and cutting edge biomedical areas. 

Enumerating the future plans, Mr Nadda stated that AIIMS was in the process of expanding its trauma centre, surgical block, mother and child block and OPD block. 

The expansion would take place in phases and when completed, would almost double the hospital's capacity. The surgical block would also have a national endoscopy centre, a high dependency unit and kidney transplant facilities. 

Mr Nadda informed that the Union Cabinet has recently approved a proposal for setting up of National Cancer Institute (NCI) at Jhajjar under AIIMS at a cost of Rs 2,035 crore. 

NCI was the largest tertiary healthcare facility (both public and/or private) proposed in the country since independence. The proposed institute would have 710 beds for various facilities.

The Minister also inaugurated a free generic pharmacy store at the Institute for outpatients to cater to the needs of weaker sections of society and gave away research awards to the meritorious faculty members and students.

Present at the function were Professor MC Misra, Director, AIIMS Delhi, Dr Balram Airan, Dean (Academics), Dr SK Acharya, Dean (Research), Students and Faculty members of the AIIMS and senior officials from the Ministry.