Union Health Minister Jagat Prakash Nadda has stated that while young Indian doctors are free to seek opportunities overseas, the argument of inadequate domestic infrastructure is no longer valid. He made these remarks while addressing the graduating batch at the 21st convocation of King George's Medical University (KGMU) in Lucknow on December 21, 2025.
A New Era of Medical Infrastructure
Minister Nadda emphatically highlighted the significant expansion of premier healthcare institutions under the current government. The number of All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) has risen from just one to 23 across the country. This massive scale-up, he asserted, has fundamentally changed the landscape of medical facilities available to students and professionals within India.
"Institutions are here, facilities are here, and infrastructure is also here. Make use of them," Nadda advised the aspiring doctors. He contrasted the present scenario with the past, noting that earlier, meritorious students heading to destinations like London would often cite a lack of facilities back home. "Today, I can say with pride... our students can no longer complain about a lack of facilities and infrastructure," the Health Minister declared.
Privilege of Education and a Call for Service
Nadda reminded the graduates that higher medical education is a privilege, not a birthright, afforded to a select few. He pointed out that an average expenditure of Rs 35 lakh is incurred in training a single doctor. This substantial public investment, he implied, comes with an inherent responsibility to give back to society.
He praised the dedication of young doctors who often work long, continuous hours and urged them to find validation in their perseverance and job satisfaction rather than seeking external "certification" for their good work. The minister also called upon them to continuously upgrade their skills with emerging technologies while keeping their focus on serving humanity.
Global Ambitions and Domestic Schemes
The Union Minister framed India's healthcare progress in a global context. "Today, we are not only catering to the health services of India but the entire world," Nadda said. He cited the Ayushman Bharat scheme, which provides a health cover of Rs 5 lakh to over 62 crore beneficiaries, as evidence of the nation's capacity to execute the "world's largest" such public health programme.
He commended KGMU for its excellence in specialized transplants like cornea, liver, and kidney, stating that the institution has served not just the nation but humanity worldwide.
Dignitaries Echo the Sentiment
The convocation was presided over by Uttar Pradesh Governor and University Chancellor Anandiben Patel. She emphasized that medical education finds its true completion when anchored in compassion, empathy, and a spirit of service. Empathy towards patients, responsibility towards society, and duty towards the nation form the core identity of a true doctor, she added.
Deputy Chief Minister Brajesh Pathak and Union Minister of State for Finance Pankaj Chaudhary were also present and congratulated the passing-out students on their achievement.
In his concluding thoughts, Nadda encapsulated the ethos of the occasion, stating that working at an institution like KGMU is itself a matter of good fortune, and through skill and commitment, the new graduates have achieved "making the impossible possible."
