PGI all set for 62nd foundation day celebrations today
The Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER) will celebrate its 62nd foundation day on Monday, marking over six decades of service in medical education, research and patient care.
“Patient care remains the institute’s top priority, guided by the motto ‘service with sacrifice’. Our commitment to accessible healthcare is reflected in its extensive outreach through government schemes such as Ayushman Bharat, benefiting over 1.55 lakh beneficiaries, including 147 renal transplants till date under the scheme,” the PGIMER Director Dr Vivek Lal said.
Dr Rajiv Bahl, Secretary to Government of India, Department of Health Research and Director General of the Indian Council of Medical Research (), will be the chief guest and will deliver a keynote address themed, “Creating more physicians, scientists and innovators in leading medical institutes”.
A physician-scientist specialising in paediatrics and public health, Bahl has been a leading figure in maternal and child health research for over 30 years. His career spans leadership roles at the World Health Organization in Geneva, where he served as Head of Research on maternal, new-born, child, and adolescent health from 2013 to 2022. He has been recognised with an honorary doctorate from the University of Bergen, Norway.
Joining him as guest of honour will be Dr D Behera, Professor Emeritus at PGIMER and President of the National Academy of Medical Sciences, New Delhi.With over 40 years of experience, Behera is a respiratory specialist, former Dean at PGIMER, and leader in lung cancer research.
Spanning an expansive area of 277 acres, PGIMER is a hub of medical excellence with a dedicated workforce of 11,847 employees, including 728 esteemed faculty members and around 1,300 academic resident doctors, including sponsored and foreign national categories across 47 specialized departments and 10 centres of excellence.
The institute has a capacity of 2,233 beds, including 207 ICU beds and 73 operation theatres, facilitating comprehensive healthcare services.
Annually, PGIMER caters to approximately 10,000 outpatient visits daily, totalling around 3 million visits, with 200,000 admissions for both long-term and day-care treatments, alongside 80,000 surgeries encompassing major and minor procedures. The institute offers services across 160 specialties and super-specialties.
In addition to clinical services, PGIMER is a leader in medical research and education. It offers 20 MD/ MS courses, 47 DM/ MCh courses, 35 Fellowships, 350 seats in PhD courses, 21 M.Sc, 12 Paramedical courses and three nursing courses, across various disciplines.
“The 62nd foundation day promises to be a celebration of past achievements and a reaffirmation of the institute’s unwavering dedication to improving health outcomes for all,” Dr Lal added.
Chandigarh