Vice President C. P. Radhakrishnan on Tuesday addressed the 51st convocation of the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) in New Delhi, emphasizing that no technology, including artificial intelligence, can replace the moral weight of a doctor's presence at the patient's bedside. Speaking at Bharat Mandapam, he noted that AIIMS Delhi is no longer just keeping pace with the world but is actively setting the tempo for the future of medicine. He urged young doctors and scientists to carry forward values of compassion, innovation, and public trust.
Expansion of Medical Education
Union Health Minister Jagat Prakash Nadda highlighted the rapid expansion of India's medical education capacity over the past decade. The number of medical colleges has increased from around 390 to 825, and medical seats have reached 1.25 lakh. The government plans to add another 75,000 undergraduate and postgraduate medical seats over the next two to three years. Nadda also stated that India now has 23 AIIMS institutions, including 16 established in recent years, and emphasized that AIIMS Delhi has a special responsibility in mentoring newer institutions across the country.
Degrees and Awards
The institute awarded 523 degrees across undergraduate, postgraduate, super-specialty, doctoral, nursing, and allied health sciences programs. Degrees included DM, MCh, MD, MS, MDS, MBBS, PhD, nursing, and allied health sciences qualifications, along with fellowships in emerging specialties such as bariatric surgery, hepatology, and blood and marrow transplantation. Graduating students took the Charak Oath, reaffirming their commitment to ethical medical practice and patient care. AIIMS also conferred Lifetime Achievement Awards on five former faculty members for their contributions to medical science, research, and patient care.
AI in Healthcare
AIIMS Director Dr. Nikhil Tandon said the institute has emerged as a leader in AI-driven healthcare innovations, including AI-assisted screening tools for diabetic retinopathy, oral cancer, and radiology applications. He also highlighted AIIMS Delhi's ranking among the world's top hospitals and its recognition by the World Health Organization in multiple areas of public health and research.
The convocation ceremony underscored the balance between technological advancement and the irreplaceable human touch in medicine, as India continues to expand its healthcare infrastructure and education system.
