Reaffirming the government's commitment to building a Viksit Bharat by 2047, Union Minister of State for Health Anupriya Patel on Thursday underscored the centrality of healthcare in India’s development agenda.
Speaking at the Annual Convocation Ceremony of Lady Hardinge Medical College (LHMC), the Minister highlighted that a strong and inclusive healthcare system is not only vital for individual well-being but is a foundational pillar in the vision of a developed India.
“Only a healthy nation can truly be a developed nation,” she emphasized, calling healthcare investment one of the most critical levers for driving national progress.
The ceremony also saw the presence of Dr. Vinod K. Paul, Member, NITI Aayog, and Dr. Sunita Sharma, DGHS, Dr. Sarita Beri, Director, LHMC, Dr. Anju Seth, Principal, LHMC among others.
Hailing LHMC as a symbol of women empowerment and medical excellence, she said, “as an institution, Lady Hardinge Medical College has stood for women empowerment, and has contributed immensely to the growth of the nation.”
Underlining the importance of healthcare in the Prime Minister’s vision for a developed India, Patel said, “Prime Minister Narendra Modi has the vision of a developed India by the year 2047, as we no longer want to continue with the identity of a developing nation any further. Healthcare contributes significantly to this goal, as only a healthy nation can truly be a developed nation.”
The Minister further urged graduating students to carry forward the values instilled by LHMC. “Since you have worked during the most difficult time of COVID-19 pandemic, this will help you in navigating through real-life challenges... The values that you carry forward from the institution will help you in becoming compassionate healers,” she noted.
She elaborated on the strides made in India’s healthcare ecosystem, citing expansion in infrastructure, digital health tools, and focus on universal access. “Healthy India and Health for All are not just slogans, but the commitment of the government and a shared vision, a collective agenda of all stakeholders. Investment in health is one of the biggest investments for a developed India,” she remarked.
The Minister also touched upon transformative schemes like AB PM-JAY, expansion of AIIMS, and the role of Ayushman Arogya Mandirs, noting that India is steadily moving towards the National Health Policy target of 2.5% health expenditure of GDP. She credited government interventions for reducing out-of-pocket healthcare expenses, ensuring quality medicines through Jan Aushadhi Kendras, and creating a stronger medical workforce across underserved areas.
In a strong push for research and innovation, Patel encouraged the students to become “agents of change” by embracing medical research and digital health tools to expand access and tackle emerging health challenges.
Dr. V. K. Paul called on LHMC to take national leadership in rational antibiotic use. “This is a significant achievement, especially considering the challenge of achieving consensus across departments... I urge that antimicrobial stewardship be adopted across all medical institutions, and LHMC should take the lead in this effort,” he said, commending the launch of the institute’s comprehensive Antibiotic Policy.
He also reminded graduates of their role in nation-building. “This generation has a special responsibility in realizing the dream of Viksit Bharat by 2047... This day marks a major transition from being students to becoming doctors, and from graduates to postgraduates,” he added.
Dr. Sunita Sharma, DGHS and an LHMC alumna herself, shared her pride and emotional connection to the institution. “Move forward with character, conviction, commitment, courage and courtesy and serve the nation,” she advised the new graduates.
More than 600 students were conferred degrees across MBBS, MD, MS, MDS and DM/MCh streams. The Annual Report of LHMC 2024 and its Antibiotics Policy were formally launched during the event.
The convocation was also attended by senior officials from the Health Ministry, and heads of Delhi NCR’s central government hospitals and medical institutions.
