VP Urges AIIMS Deoghar Graduates to Take Quality Healthcare to Rural and Tribal Communities

Vice-President C. P. Radhakrishnan on Saturday urged graduating doctors, nurses and healthcare professionals at AIIMS Deoghar to use their knowledge and skills to improve access to quality healthcare in villages, tribal communities and remote areas.

Addressing the institute’s second convocation ceremony, the Vice-President said a medical degree represented not only academic achievement but also a responsibility towards society. He emphasised that professional competence, compassion, honesty and ethical conduct were essential to earning and maintaining patients’ trust.

Referring to the legacy of tribal leaders Bhagwan Birsa Munda, Sidho-Kanhu and Tilka Manjhi, Radhakrishnan said serving underprivileged communities in the region would be a meaningful tribute to their contributions.

Eleven students were honoured during the ceremony, at which medical and nursing students received their degrees.

Expansion of medical education in India

Radhakrishnan said equitable access to quality healthcare and higher education, particularly in rural and tribal areas, would be essential to achieving the vision of a developed India by 2047.

Citing the expansion of medical education, he said the number of medical colleges in the country had increased from 387 before 2014 to 846. The number of MBBS seats had risen from approximately 51,000 to 1.39 lakh, while postgraduate medical seats had increased by 177 per cent.

He added that the combined number of undergraduate and postgraduate medical seats had crossed 2.25 lakh.

Technology must complement compassionate care

The Vice-President highlighted the growing role of artificial intelligence, telemedicine, digital diagnostics and genomics in transforming healthcare delivery. He stressed that the benefits of these technologies must also reach people living in remote villages.

However, he cautioned that technological advances could not replace human sensitivity in medical practice.

He also underscored the contribution of nursing and paramedical professionals, noting that compassion, patience and respect for patients were integral to effective healthcare.

Addressing young people more broadly, Radhakrishnan encouraged them to avoid substance abuse, adopt healthy lifestyles and recognise the contributions of their teachers and families to their achievements.

Senior leaders attend convocation

Jharkhand Governor Santosh Kumar Gangwar, Union Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare Prataprao Jadhav, state Health Minister Irfan Ansari, Godda MP Nishikant Dubey, Rajya Sabha MP Pradip Verma and Deoghar MLA Suresh Paswan attended the ceremony.

AIIMS Deoghar President Prof. M. V. Padma Srivastava and Executive Director Prof. Nitin M. Gangane were also present.

The address placed particular emphasis on the responsibility of newly qualified healthcare professionals to combine medical expertise with ethical practice and help extend healthcare services to underserved communities.