JULY 24: Union Minister of State for Health & Family Welfare and Chemicals & Fertilizers, Smt. Anupriya Patel, presided over the Annual Convocation Ceremony of Lady Hardinge Medical College (LHMC) as the Chief Guest. The event witnessed the awarding of degrees to over 600 students, including MBBS, MD, MS, MDS, and DM/MCh graduates.
Addressing the gathering, Smt. Patel hailed LHMC for its century-long contribution to women’s empowerment and healthcare excellence. She described the institution as a symbol of progress, noting that it predates even the architectural landmarks of New Delhi. Commending LHMC’s consistent focus on female education in medicine, she celebrated its role in producing capable and compassionate doctors for the nation.
Smt. Patel underscored the central role of healthcare in realizing Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of a “Viksit Bharat” (Developed India) by 2047. She asserted that “a healthy nation is the foundation of a developed one,” and reaffirmed the government’s unwavering commitment to “Health for All” and a “Healthy India.”
She also outlined India’s major strides in healthcare, including the rise in public health expenditure, expansion of AIIMS from 7 to 23, and the success of schemes like AB-PMJAY and Jan Aushadhi Kendras. Smt. Patel emphasized the pivotal role played by frontline health workers and digital health technologies in reshaping the healthcare landscape, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Encouraging students to carry forward the legacy of LHMC, she urged them to engage in medical research, adopt digital innovations, and serve underserved populations with ethical integrity and compassion.
Dr. V K Paul, Member, NITI Aayog, lauded LHMC’s launch of its Antibiotic Policy and emphasized the importance of national antibiotic stewardship. Calling it a crucial step, he urged all institutions to adopt similar models for rational antibiotic use and patient safety.
Dr. Sunita Sharma, DGHS, and an LHMC alumna, congratulated the graduating students and urged them to serve the nation with conviction and character. The convocation also saw the release of the LHMC Annual Report and the official launch of the institute’s Antibiotics Policy.
