Union Minister of State for Health & Family Welfare and Chemicals & Fertilizers, Smt. Anupriya Patel graced the Annual Convocation Day ceremony of Lady Hardinge Medical College (LHMC) as the Chief Guest, here today. The event was also attended by Dr. Vinod Kumar Paul, Member, Niti Aayog as the Guest of Honour and Dr. Sunita Sharma, Director General Health Services as special guest.

Speaking on the occasion, Smt. Anupriya Patel stressed upon the fact that “as an institution, Lady Hardinge Medical College has stood for women empowerment, and has contributed immensely to the growth of the nation.” She added that “LHMC holds a distinguished status as one of the oldest medical institutions in the country, predating landmarks like Connaught Place, Parliament House, and Rashtrapati Bhavan. Over the past 110 years, the college has evolved and today it is a unique blend of the old infrastructure and the new buildings that dot the landscape of the LHMC campus.”

Smt. Patel underlined that “LHMC has maintained its unique character retaining the focus on women’s empowerment admitting all female students in MBBS, and contributing for gender equality through post graduates and specialty courses. It is noteworthy that LHMC is awarding undergraduate degree to 240 students and specialty degrees to close to 200 doctors annually, providing the nation and the world doctors who are skilled competent professionals who will shape the healthcare for the next half century.”  

Addressing the students, Smt. Patel stated that “since you have worked during the most difficult time of COVID 19 pandemic, this will help you in navigating through the real life challenges and will contribute to their personal growth and paying back to the society.” She also added that "medical profession is unique blend of privilege and responsibility as doctors are highly regarded in the society and while shouldering the responsibility of upholding highest ethical values in their professional life and serve the underprivileged in the society. The values that you carry forward from the institution will help you in becoming compassionate healers." Smt. Patel also congratulated the parents, faculty and everyone who contributed to the successful pursuit of goals of the passing out students.

Smt. Patel emphasized that “Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has the vision of a developed India by the year 2047, as we no longer want to continue with the identity of a developing nation any further. Healthcare contributes significantly to this goal, as only a healthy nation can truly be a developed nation.”

Smt. Patel urged all the students to know about the healthcare landscape of the country and the transition it has gone through in the past 11 years. She stated that “the first and most important step in this direction was the introduction of a new National Health Policy in 2017 that is in line with the evolving healthcare landscape in the world.” “The government is moving forward with a comprehensive approach towards health that is not just curative and preventive, but also promotive, palliative and rehabilitative, with preventive component being the most significant among the others”, she further added.  

Underlining the government’s efforts for ensuring universal healthcare, Smt. Patel stated that “for a huge country like India with a population of 140 crores, the Government is working tirelessly to ensure quality and affordable healthcare to all its citizens. With a strong political commitment, increased government funding, right policy and right strategy, the government expenditure on health has increased to almost 2% of the GDP, and we are steadily moving towards the goal of 2.5% spending as stated in the National Health Policy.”

Smt. Patel also stressed on the fact that the government is improving on all social indicators like housing, clean drinking water, sanitation and availability of clean cooking fuel as all these factors contribute to health. She also highlighted the strides made in the healthcare landscape of the country and stated that “the government is filling the critical gaps in the healthcare infrastructure and is addressing the shortage of specialist doctors in the hard-to-reach areas of the country. We are moving forward to ensure the doctor-population ration as per the WHO recommendations. Primary healthcare has been revolutionized through the Ayushman Arogya Mandirs; number of AIIMS have been increased from 7 to 23; and digital solutions are being adopted to get better healthcare outcomes.”

Highlighting the initiatives of the government to improve access, availability, and quality of healthcare services, Smt. Patel stated that “AB PM-JAY is the world’s largest health assurance scheme catering to the healthcare needs of 55 crore people, 40% of the total population, frontline healthcare workers and senior citizens above the age of 70 years. While with the Jan Aushadhi Kendras access to quality medicines is being ensured at discounted prices. Collectively, the initiatives of the government have led to significant decrease in out-of-pocket expenditure of the citizens on healthcare.” She also emphasized India's quick and robust response during the COVID 19 pandemic and stated that “India set an example by establishing fastest and biggest vaccination and administered over 220 crore doses of COVID vaccines.”

Smt. Patel stressed that “healthy India and Health for All are not just slogans, but the commitment of the government and a shared vision, a collective agenda of all stakeholders. Investment in health is one of the biggest investments for a developed India.”

Smt. Patel urged the students to be agents of change through different ways like indulging in medical research to prepare the country for upcoming health challenges; adopting digital technology and innovations to increase citizens' access to healthcare. She extended regards for the passing out students for their future and to carry forward the legacy of LHMC and serve the nation with distinction and become compassionate healers contributing to the vision of a Viksit Bharat.

Addressing the gathering, Dr. Vinod K Paul stated that “this is truly a momentous occasion in the lives of our students, their proud parents, and dedicated teachers. This day marks a major transition from being students to becoming doctors, and from graduates to postgraduates. For MBBS graduates, it is the first opportunity to serve both humanity and the nation. It is a moment filled with responsibility, promise, and pride.”

Dr. Paul praised the institution for releasing comprehensive Antibiotic Policy and guidelines on the rational use of antibiotics and stated “this is a significant achievement, especially considering the challenge of achieving consensus across departments. The implementation of antimicrobial stewardship programs and tracking antibiotic usage are vital steps forward. With the graded authority to prescribe antibiotics, we can ensure more rational, responsible, and effective usage. Strict measures in this domain are not optional, they are essential. I urge that antimicrobial stewardship be adopted across all medical institutions, and LHMC should take the lead in this effort. With its legacy and expertise, LHMC has the potential to set national benchmarks in this area.”

  Dr. Paul added that “this generation has a special responsibility in realizing the dream of Viksit Bharat by 2047, as envisioned by our Hon’ble Prime Minister. The path to a developed India includes improvements in life expectancy, reduction in under-five mortality rates, and ensuring citizen-centric, accessible, and quality healthcare.”

Dr. Sunita Sharma, DGHS said it was a proud moment for her, being from this institute only serving here as a faculty for close to three decades, and now seeing the students taught by her getting degrees on this Convocation Day.  She congratulated all the students for getting their degrees and urged them to move forward with character, conviction, commitment, courage and courtesy and serve the nation.

Over 600 degrees students received their MBBS, MD, MS, MDS and DM/MCh degrees during the Convocation ceremony. The Annual Report of Lady Hardinge Medical College for the year 2024 and Antibiotics Policy of LHMC was also launched at the event.

Dr. Sarita Beri, Director, Lady Hardinge Medical College, Dr. Anju Seth, Principal LHMC, senior officers from the Government of India, Heads of the institutions from the Central Government Hospitals and Medical Colleges of Delhi NCR were also present at the occasion.

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