Vice President C. P. Radhakrishnan on Sunday showered praise on Assam’s healthcare progress, stating that the number of medical colleges in the state has more than doubled from seven in 2021 to 15, with another nine under construction.
Addressing the convocation of Srimanta Sankaradeva University of Health Sciences (SSUHS) in Guwahati, Radhakrishnan also referred to developments such as the establishment of AIIMS Guwahati, the first AIIMS in the Northeast, and Assam’s three-tier cancer-care network, including the state’s first Proton Beam Therapy Centre.
Congratulating the Assam government for strengthening healthcare infrastructure, he said that the changing healthcare landscape is enabling patients from outside Assam to increasingly seek advanced treatment in Guwahati.
The Vice President further urged graduating healthcare professionals to uphold compassion, ethics and scientific excellence and dedicate their knowledge and skills to the service of humanity.
He also presented the Dr. John Berry White Award for the years 2023, 2024 and 2025.
Addressing the convocation, he said the University, named after Mahapurusha Srimanta Sankaradeva, has emerged as an important institution for health sciences education, research and public health.
He appreciated its efforts to promote medical knowledge in local languages, including the publication of an Anglo-Assamese Dictionary of Medical Science and medical textbooks in Assamese.
The Vice President further highlighted the transformation of India’s healthcare sector under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, referring to initiatives such as Ayushman Bharat.
He noted that more than 44 crore Ayushman cards have been issued and recalled that the scheme has helped poor and middle-class families save an estimated Rs 2 lakh crore in medical expenses.
Calling upon youth to lead healthy and disciplined lives, he urged them to stay away from substance abuse and contribute towards building a Nasha Mukt Bharat. He also advised students to use social media constructively and not allow it to consume excessive time.
