Union Health Minister Jagat Prakash Nadda said on Saturday that medical students owed it to society since the government spent Rs 30-35 lakh on each seat every year and that aspirants were free to go abroad but they should not complain about lack of infrastructure in the country.
Addressing the 21st convocation ceremony of King George’s Medical University (KGMU) in Lucknow, Nadda claimed that education might be a birthright, but medical education was not.
“Institutions are here, facilities are here, and infrastructure is also here. Make use of them. Never consider medical education as your birthright. School education can be a birthright, college education can be a birthright, but medical education is not. It is a privilege. The government spends Rs 30-35 lakh on each medical student every year. The state cabinet recently sanctioned 1000 seats in medical colleges. You owe it to society. You have to bear that responsibility.”
The Union minister also said the number of All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) in the country has gone up to 23 under the current central dispensation.
“Earlier, when meritorious students went abroad and were asked why they were going to London, they complained about the lack of facilities. Today, I can say with pride that while there was just one AIIMS before, now there are 23 AIIMS under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Therefore, our students can no longer complain about a lack of facilities and infrastructure,” Nadda said.
Nadda said that over the last 11 years, the number of medical colleges has increased from 387 to 819, undergraduate medical seats have risen from 51,000 to more than 1,10,000, and postgraduate seats from 31,000 to 80,000. He added that 7,500 new postgraduate seats will be added this academic year.
UP Deputy Chief Minister and Minister for Medical Education Brijesh Pathak emphasised that doctors are not only professionals but also torchbearers of humanity and service.
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Pathak said that KGMU stands as a symbol of excellence and has played a pivotal role in shaping skilled doctors who serve not only Uttar Pradesh but the entire nation.
He added that KGMU has been ranked among the top medical institutions in the country, with several faculty members recognised among the world’s leading scientists.
On the occasion, 81 students and one faculty member were honoured for outstanding achievements in academics, research, and clinical services across MBBS, BDS, MD/MS, DM/MCh, and Nursing. Gold medals and certificates of merit were also awarded.
Bhupendra Pandey is the Resident Editor of the Lucknow edition of The Indian Express. With decades of experience in the heart of Uttar Pradesh’s journalistic landscape, he oversees the bureau’s coverage of India’s most politically significant state. His expertise lies in navigating the complex intersections of state governance, legislative policy, and grassroots social movements. From tracking high-stakes assembly elections to analyzing administrative shifts in the Hindi heartland, Bhupendra’s reportage provides a definitive lens on the region's evolution.
Authoritativeness He leads a team of seasoned reporters and investigators, ensuring that The Indian Express’ signature "Journalism of Courage" is reflected in every regional story. His leadership is central to the Lucknow bureau’s reputation for breaking stories that hold the powerful to account, making him a trusted figure for policy analysts, political scholars, and the general public seeking to understand the nuances of UP’s complex landscape.
Trustworthiness & Accountability Under his stewardship, the Lucknow edition adheres to the strictest standards of factual verification and non-partisan reporting. He serves as a bridge between the local populace and the national discourse, ensuring that regional issues are elevated with accuracy and context. By prioritizing primary-source reporting and on-the-ground verification, he upholds the trust that readers have placed in the Express brand for nearly a century. ... Read More
