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New Delhi : Union Health and Family Welfare Minister and President, AIIMS, Dr Harsh Vardhan, presided over an event to mark the 65th Foundation Day of AIIMS, New Delhi, in the presence of Ashwini Kumar Choubey, Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare.This day marks the beginning of undergraduate teaching at AIIMS and was the day the first batch of MBBS classes was held in 1956.
Congratulating the AIIMS fraternity for being ranked as number one among medical institutions by National Institute Ranking Framework (NIRF) by the Ministry of Human Resource and Development, Dr Vardhan expressed satisfaction that AIIMS, New Delhi, has fulfilled the objectives of its establishment set by the Indian Parliament in 1956 during its foundation and has continually sought to achieve a high standard in healthcare services, education and research.
Dr Vardhan also expressed gratitude for the institution’s huge contribution during the COVID Pandemic. He said ,”More than 5 million patients have been infected with Coronavirus but healthcare system of India has shown great efficiency in not only providing diagnostic and management facilities but also keeping the mortality at minimum and recovery at maximum.”
“I appreciate that in last 6 months, AIIMS has taken a huge responsibility of providing care to patients suffering from COVID-19, for innovating in areas of research, guiding colleagues across the country, and developing new methods of teaching and communication,” he added, according to a PIB release.
On India’s fight against COVID-19, Dr Vardhan said, “India’s continuously rising Recovery Rate and progressively falling Case Fatality Rate have proven the success of the COVID-19 containment strategy followed by all States and UTs under the dynamic guidance of our Prime Minister Narendra Modi. We have successfully ramped up our testing capacity which touched nearly 15 lakh milestone on September 25, 2020, with more than 1,800 testing labs spread across the country. I have confidence in the scientific developments taking place in the field of treatment and vaccine for COVID-19 and soon India will achieve more success in our fight against COVID-19.”
Choubey praised the medical community for their endless and selfless efforts during COVID times. He said,“AIIMS has established high reputation and has contributed significantly in academic, research and patient care. It has attracted students from various other countries like USA, UK, Australia, Germany, etc.”
Dr Vardhan and Choubey gave away awards and medals to faculty members and graduating students. Dr Vardhan said, “This is the dream of every medical student to become a student of AIIMS. On this 65th foundation Day, I request all of you to aggressively and meticulously brainstorm some ideas which will be helpful in strengthening the medical services in India and in positioning India among top scientific nations.”
The Union Health Minister also released Research Section Manual and inaugurated an exhibition themed ‘AIIMS in COVID Times’ that highlights the contribution of AIIMS, New Delhi, in dealing with the Public Health Emergency. All the departments displayed exhibits on different topics including COVID testing and evaluation, the procedure for collection of samples and laboratory performance, COVID task force, extensive training of manpower, COVID appropriate behaviour etc.