The State Government was committed to make Indira Gandhi Medical College as the best medical college of the State by equipping it with latest equipments and technologies. This was stated by Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur while presiding over the 52nd Foundation Day-cum-CME and Alumni Meet of Indira Gandhi Medical College here today.Jai Ram Thakur said that the health indicators in the State were better than most of the states of the country. He said that credit for this goes to the hardworking and dedicated doctors and other para medical staff of the State. He said that the State today have six medical colleges in Government sector alone and in the coming time all the health institutions especially those in rural areas would be have qualified and highly professional doctors and people would be able to get best health care facilities nearer to their homes.The Chief Minister said that the 52 years of the IGMC have been full of achievements and accomplishments. He said that the products of this institution have brought laurels to the State and the country. He said that another campus of IGMC was being constructed at Chamiyana near Shimla by spending an amount of Rs. 150 crore and this campus would ensure quality and specialised health services under one roof. He said that new building of IGMC to house OPD and Special wards was also nearing completion by spending about Rs. 55 crores.
Jai Ram Thakur said that the Government was laying special stress on strengthening existing health and educational institutions of the State with adequate men and machinery.The Chief Minister said that the Union Government headed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi has started Ayushmann Bharat Scheme for providing health insurance cover to about 50 crore people of the country and as many as 22 lakh people of the State would be benefitted under the Scheme. He said that it was the endeavour of the State Government that no one in the State gets deprived of quality health services and treatment due to financial constraints.The Chief Minister also inaugurated water ATM in the IGMC Campus on the occasion. He also visited the Hospital and inquired about the well-being of the recent Trax cab accident victims, in which brother of Education Minister Suresh Bhardwaj and two others lost their lives.The Chief Minister released a souvenir and annual magazine of IGMC on the occasion and also honoured several alumni of IGMC on the occasion.Health and Family Welfare Minister Vipin Singh Parmar said that Indira Gandhi Medical College started as a Medical College with 50 MBBS seats in 1966 and today it has roused to become premier medical college of the State with 100 MBBS seats.
He said that Alumni of this institution have created a special place in the field of medicine in the country, which was an honour for the Institution as well as to the State. He said that adequate doctors and para medical staff were being recruited in all the health institutions of the State. Director, PGI Chandigarh and Alumni of IGMC Dr. Jagat Ram, while delivering his oration address said that in order to succeed in life one have to take small initiatives towards the goal daily and be a lifelong student. He was honoured with Oration Medal on the occasion, which was sponsored by Dr. Sanjiv Sharma in memory of his mother. He also honoured with Citation by the Principal of IGMC, Shimla.Principal IGMC Ravi C. Sharma while welcoming the Chief Minister and other dignitaries said that the Medical College since its inception on 13th October, 1966 has emerged as one of the premier medical college not only of the State but also of the northern region. He said that the Institute was committed to produce some outstanding professional to serve the suffering humanity.Dr. Piyush Kapila also made a presentation on growth and development of IGMC on the occasion.Head of Department Radiology IGMC Shimla Prof Sanjiv Sharma presented vote of thanks.College students presented a colourful cultural programme on the occasion.Mayor Shimla Municipal Corporation Kusum Sadrate, Director Medical Education Dr. Ashok Sharma, Sr. Medical Superintendent IGMC Dr. Janak Raj, were present on the occasion among others.