Lucknow: Union Minister for Health and Family Welfare and Chemicals and Fertilisers Jagat Prakash Nadda on Monday said that India is today providing leadership to the world in the field of healthcare, under the visionary leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. He was addressing the gathering at the 21st Convocation Ceremony of King George’s Medical University (KGMU) in Lucknow.
Nadda said India is successfully offering solutions to global health challenges due to the availability of world-class infrastructure, institutions and facilities. He highlighted that doctors have stopped leaving the country as India now offers robust medical infrastructure and expanding opportunities. Emphasising India’s growing global role, he said the country is not only catering to domestic healthcare needs but also serving patients from abroad.
Citing India’s digital progress, the Union Minister said that while vaccination certificates in some countries are still issued on paper, India provides digital certificates through the CoWIN platform, reflecting the success of Digital India initiatives.
Referring to flagship health reforms, Nadda said the Ayushman Bharat scheme is the world’s largest healthcare programme, providing health coverage of ₹5 lakh to nearly 62 crore beneficiaries. He added that citizens above 70 years of age, irrespective of caste, religion or financial status, are assured health coverage until their last breath — a provision unmatched even by private insurance companies.
Highlighting growth in medical education, Nadda said the number of AIIMS institutions has increased from one to 23, medical colleges from 387 to 819, undergraduate medical seats from 51,000 to 1.19 lakh, and postgraduate seats from 31,000 to 80,000. He added that as per the Prime Minister’s vision, an additional 75,000 medical seats are targeted by 2029.
The convocation was presided over by Uttar Pradesh Governor Anandiben Patel. Union Minister of State for Finance Pankaj Chaudhary, attending as a special guest, urged the Union Health Minister to grant KGMU the status of an Institute of National Importance.
During the ceremony, 2,441 students from various disciplines including MBBS, BDS, MD/MS, DM/MCh, MDS, Nursing, Dental, PhD and super-speciality courses were awarded degrees. Eighty-one students and one faculty member were honoured with medals and awards for outstanding academic, clinical and research achievements.
On the occasion, Prof. Ajay Kumar Sood, Principal Scientific Adviser to the Government of India, was conferred the honorary Doctor of Science (Honoris Causa) degree. He also delivered the convocation address, sharing insights on the evolving landscape of medical education, research and innovation.
Deputy Chief Minister Brajesh Kumar Pathak and Minister of State Mayankeshwar Sharan Singh were also present as special guests. Vice Chancellor Prof. Soniya Nityanand presented a brief progress report of the University.
The ceremony featured oath-taking by graduating students, cultural performances, group photographs of meritorious students, and renditions of Vande Mataram and the university anthem, marking a dignified conclusion to the convocation.
