Union Minister of Health & Family Welfare, Shri Jagat Prakash Nadda, presided over the 53rd Foundation Day and Convocation of the University College of Medical Sciences (UCMS), a University of Delhi institution, on a noteworthy occasion for medical graduates and healthcare professionals. Shri Nadda was joined by Delhi’s Lieutenant Governor, Shri Vinai Kumar Saxena, among other prominent figures. Addressing the gathering, Shri Nadda emphasized the essential contributions that healthcare professionals make to society, highlighting the government’s ongoing commitment to enhancing India’s healthcare system for accessibility and quality.

“You are entering a noble profession with a commitment to integrity, compassion, and dedication. Your efforts should align with shaping our national vision of a 'Viksit Bharat',” Shri Nadda urged the graduates, encouraging them to approach their careers with a sense of responsibility and dedication. He also conveyed the government’s resolve to strengthen healthcare accessibility and stressed that graduates’ contributions could help advance India’s healthcare goals. Shri Nadda noted that, while “basic education is a birthright, professional education is a privilege that society bestows on only a few,” underscoring the significance of the government’s investment of around 30-35 lakh rupees per MBBS student.

A milestone in national healthcare policy, Shri Nadda spoke about the Union Government’s 2017 transformation of the National Health Policy, which shifted focus from exclusively curative healthcare to a more comprehensive approach encompassing preventive, integrative, and curative healthcare. The Union Health Minister spotlighted the impressive progress India has made in expanding medical and educational facilities, with the establishment of 22 new AIIMS institutions and the doubling of MBBS and MD seats to meet rising demand for healthcare services. Nadda reiterated that Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi had committed to adding 75,000 more medical seats within five years, pledging to ensure this goal is met to further strengthen the nation’s healthcare workforce.

During the convocation, degrees were awarded to 146 MBBS students, 145 MD/MS students, 17 B.Sc (MT) Radiology students, 4 M.Sc (R&MIT) students, and certificates were presented to 4 Medical Laboratory Technology (MLT) graduates. Additionally, 62 meritorious students received awards for outstanding academic achievements. In his address, Shri Vinai Kumar Saxena extended his congratulations to the new doctors, recognizing UCMS’s dedication to cultivating skilled and compassionate healthcare professionals capable of addressing India’s complex health challenges. “This convocation is a testament to UCMS’s enduring commitment and legacy in medical education,” Shri Saxena stated, emphasizing the institution’s role in preparing professionals who can help tackle the country’s growing healthcare needs.

The ceremony also included the release of a commemorative souvenir documenting UCMS’s academic accomplishments over the past year. The convocation marked a proud milestone for students, faculty, and their families, celebrating the graduates’ entry into one of India’s most respected professions.

Notable attendees included Prof. (Dr.) Mahesh Verma, Chairperson of the UCMS Governing Body and Vice-Chancellor of Guru Gobind Singh Indraprastha University, along with Prof. B Srinivas, Secretary of the National Medical Commission (NMC) and Deputy Director General (Medical Education); Dr. Girish Tyagi, Registrar of the Delhi Medical Council (DMC) and President-Elect of the Delhi Medical Association; Dr. Amita Suneja, Principal of UCMS, and several senior officials from the Union Health Ministry.

(Input from various sources)

(Rehash/Yash Kamble/MSM)