Union Health and Family Welfare Minister Jagat Prakash Nadda addressed the Leadership Conclave of Presidents and Executive Directors of new All India Institute of Medical Sciences institutions, organised by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare in New Delhi. The conclave aims to strengthen institutional capacity, deepen collaboration among AIIMS campuses, and build a cohesive national network to reinforce India’s public health system.
In his keynote address, the Minister said the conclave is timely as the AIIMS network continues to expand. He underscored the need to maintain a balanced focus on patient care, medical education and research, while improving patient feedback systems to enhance satisfaction. He expressed hope that the newer AIIMS will steadily achieve global benchmarks in healthcare and education without compromising the core values associated with the AIIMS brand.
Highlighting that different AIIMS are at varying stages of development, Nadda called for structured cooperation and mutual support to ensure coordinated growth. He welcomed the formation of a collaborative research consortium involving 20 AIIMS institutions aligned with national health priorities and said institutional leaders must combine administrative efficiency with academic excellence to drive progress.
Clarifying governance roles, he stated that the President of each AIIMS represents the Ministry and provides oversight, while the Executive Director manages day-to-day operations. Respecting this distinction, he noted, is essential for effective administration. He also urged institutions to move beyond conventional practices and adopt greater transparency, accountability and objectivity in decision-making.
The Minister encouraged the integration of advanced technologies, particularly artificial intelligence, into diagnostics and clinical decision-making. He also stressed institutionalising telemedicine services and strengthening community outreach programmes to reinforce the public health mandate of AIIMS.
On human resources, Nadda called for faster faculty recruitment while maintaining high academic and healthcare standards. He suggested conducting at least four interview cycles annually and noted the recent rise in faculty appointments. He reiterated the importance of regular examinations such as NORCET and the Common Recruitment Examination (CRE) for nursing and non-faculty staff to ensure timely hiring.
He further directed that Jan Aushadhi Kendras and AMRIT Pharmacies be operational in every AIIMS to improve affordable access to medicines. Emphasising academic collaboration, he advocated structured faculty and student exchange programmes between AIIMS and other Institutes of National Importance, with AIIMS taking a leadership role in medical and nursing education capacity building.
The Minister also encouraged partnerships with premier institutions such as the Indian Institutes of Technology and the Indian Institutes of Management, particularly in research areas including rare diseases, genetic disorders and medical technology innovation. While acknowledging the rapid expansion of AIIMS, he cautioned that growth must not compromise the standards of healthcare and medical education for which the institution is renowned.
He additionally stressed the importance of fostering responsible student leadership rooted in the dignity and values of the AIIMS system, urging administrators to create mechanisms that promote leadership while safeguarding academic discipline and institutional integrity.
During the event, Nadda also released a publication titled “Compilation of Office Memorandum and Guidelines on Various Matters,” prepared by the Finance Division of the Ministry. The document consolidates key financial and administrative instructions and will serve as a reference guide for institutions under the Ministry, including the new AIIMS campuses.
