President Droupadi Murmu graced the first convocation of AIIMS Bilaspur in Himachal Pradesh on October 6, 2026, delivering a speech focused on healthcare accessibility and affordability. She emphasized that the medical profession's primary objective should be serving humanity with empathy and compassion, noting that doctors' behavior gives courage to patients beyond their medical skills.
The President highlighted that quality medical care at minimal cost is the hallmark of AIIMS institutions, which represent treatment by the nation's most competent doctors. She noted that many AIIMS have been established across the country to enable more people to benefit from this trust and allow more meritorious students to receive top-tier medical education.
For AIIMS Bilaspur specifically, the President emphasized its special responsibility due to its geographical location, stating it must emerge as a premier center for advanced tertiary healthcare. She identified the challenge of delivering quality healthcare to remote areas of Himachal Pradesh and recommended strengthening services through telemedicine, specialist consultations for remote areas, training of medical personnel, and use of latest technologies.
The President addressed the financial burden of serious medical treatment on common people, noting that the Government of India provides health insurance cover of up to ₹5 lakh per family per year under the Ayushman Bharat-Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana to alleviate hardship for vulnerable sections. She stated that providing quality healthcare at affordable cost is a collective responsibility, and developing affordable, accessible, and cost-effective healthcare solutions presents both a challenge and opportunity for premier institutions like AIIMS.