“AIIMS Mangalagiri Hosts First Convocation with President of India as Chief Guest”

President Droupadi Murmu at First Convocation of AIIMS, Mangalagiri
The President of India Smt Droupadi Murmu address and presided over first ever convocation of the All India Institute of Medical Sciences at Mangalagiri, Andhra Pradesh on Dec 17 2024. It will be landmark exercise in this institution’s journey for this region, and to this profession of the medical sciences.

In her speech, the President said that the first batch of students would go a long way in defining the identity and legacy of an institution. She further stated that MBBS graduates from AIIMS, Mangalagiri, as the first batch, will be very crucial as they will represent the institute, not only in the medical fraternity but also in society, the country, and across the world.

Smt. Murmu exhorted the newly graduated doctors to regard their medical careers as a career of service to humanity. She said that there are three major areas which doctors need to emphasize for success and respect – service orientation, learning orientation, and research orientation. The President emphasized the service of greater good and urged the young doctors to prioritize fame over fortune in their professional careers. In the speech, she also commended brilliant service rendered by Indian doctors all over the world. She said that professionalism and commitment have made it possible for them to capture all top-level positions in developed countries. It is also stated that Indian medicine has emerged as a prominent source of health care at low costs that attracts people of all other countries to the land of medical tourists. He says that doctors would still be an important part of this change as the country would become a place for medical tourism.

Smt. Murmu also spoke of the Indian traditional health approach that was all about longevity, prevention of diseases, and well-being. She appreciated the holistic health approach reflected in the motto of AIIMS, Mangalagiri: ‘Sakal Swasthya Sarvada’ – Health for All, Always. The President felt that such principles of holistic healthcare should inspire every medical professional, more so those trained at AIIMS, Mangalagiri. She said that challenges in the medical field keep changing with time and therefore require new and innovative solutions. She appreciated the institute for such progressive initiatives, especially for the launching of the Cytogenetics Laboratory. The President said that lab is one giant leap in meeting new emerging health challenges by research and innovation. She confidently believed that AIIMS, Mangalagiri would bring many innovations in medical science and thus contribute to the betterment of both India and the larger fraternity of the medical.

The increasing importance of medical education for India, and the dream of a global leader in health care, was well put across in the address by Smt. Murmu. The President, speaking for herself about how much she believes Indian medical professionals can contribute to world health, was during her visit to AIIMS Mangalagiri and in interaction with the first batch of graduates of the institution. Indeed, it was a very important convocation milestone, and AIIMS, Mangalagiri, was already poised to grow into excellence in medical education and research. Inspiration to new graduates was provided by putting importance on the aspects of holistic health, service-oriented careers, and innovative research.

Important Points of Discussion of the Programme

It has much to be proud that the first lot of graduates shall have a role in setting the identity of AIIMS, Mangalagiri. She mentioned parameters an ideal doctor needs to follow. As said by her, the three parameters are service orientation, learning orientation, and research orientation. She referred to the leadership position India holds regarding the low-cost medical value travel route and said that partly it is because of doctors. The President complimented AIIMS, Mangalagiri, for its slogan for holistic health, ‘Sakal Swasthya Sarvada.’
The new laboratory of Cytogenetics at AIIMS, Mangalagiri, has been identified as one fresh hub of research and innovation solutions for medical science.