“More than 60 to 70% of the patients taking treatment at AIIMS are from Orissa, Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Bihar, Jharkhand, Rajasthan and Haryana. A majority of them come here as super specialty facilities are not available in those states, resulting in heavy patient load at AIIMS. Because of this, research work and innovations are taking a backseat,’’ said Azad.
With eight AIIMS-like institutions across India in the pipeline, the minister is confident that it will help in decongesting the institute. ‘‘We have set a deadline of two years. If the contractors are able to finish the work before that, they would be rewarded up to Rs 10 crore,’’ said Azad. The ministry is also upgrading 19 medical colleges which will have super-specialty facilities.
Addressing a large gathering of students, professor and other AIIMS staff, President Pratibha Patil asked young doctors to devote a few year of their professional life to work for the rural sector and encouraged them to take up rural postings. ‘‘I urge young doctors of the country to devote some years of their professional lives to working in rural areas. By serving in rural areas not only would you be doing good work for the nation, but the stint will also be a valuable addition to your professional experience,’’ Patil said.
A total of 381 degrees across various disciplines were awarded in the convocation. AIIMS director prof R C Deka said, ‘‘In the last academic year the institute’s faculty published over 1,500 papers and chapters. Currently, the institute’s faculty and scientists are working on 459 research projects.’’ He also informed that the institute was planning a separate out-patient block to de-congest the hospital.
source: TOI