Shimla: Union Minister of Health and Family Welfare, ShriJagat Prakash Nadda, presided as the Chief Guest at the 3rd Foundation Day event ofAIIMS Bilaspur, in Himachal Pradesh. He was joined by Shri Anurag Thakur, Member of Parliament, Lok Sabha; Shri Harsh Mahajan, Member of Parliament, Rajya Sabha; Shri Jai Ram Thakur, Ex-Chief Minister & Leader of Opposition, Himachal Pradesh and Col. Dr Dhani Ram Shandil, Health Minister, Himachal Pradesh. Addressing the gathering, Shri Nadda stated, “With state-of-the-art facilities such as advanced MRI, CT scanner, PET-CT, endoscopy suites, and bronchoscopy suites now in place,AIIMS Bilaspurhas made remarkable progress within just three years of its establishment.” He added, “The fact that people from nearby states are also seeking treatment at AIIMS Bilaspur highlights the growing trust and confidence in this institute.” Also Read:Union Minister Jagat Prakash Nadda visits Jan Aushadhi Kendra at AIIMS Bilaspur Shri Nadda reiterated the government’s commitment to providing quality medical services. He noted significant achievements in nuclear medicine, cancer care, and renal transplants. “A major milestone for Himachal Pradesh has been the reduction in out-of-pocket expenditure. Whereas earlier people had to travel to PGI Chandigarh, todayAIIMS Bilaspurmeets the high-end tertiary medical needs of the region,” he stated. On medical education, the Union Health Minister informed that 127 posts have recently been sanctioned for AIIMS Bilaspur, including 29 faculty and 98 non-faculty positions. He added that the Selection Committee will remain active for one year and is mandated to conduct at least four interview rounds to ensure these posts are filled promptly. Shri Nadda announced plans for a 500-bed Vishram Sadan atAIIMS Bilaspurto accommodate patients travelling from distant areas. Additionally, Rs 165 crore has been sanctioned for the construction of Type III, IV, and V quarters, as well as UG student hostels, and Rs 5 crore for an indoor stadium. Emphasizing the importance of upholding the AIIMS brand’s reputation, Shri Nadda called for replicating the successes of other AIIMS institutions by maintaining quality care and fostering innovation. He highlighted the recent initiative to organize short-term exchange programs between AIIMS centres across the country. He also mentioned the formation of a team, in collaboration with NITI Aayog and the Indian Institute of Public Administration, to visit all AIIMS institutes and develop a future roadmap for departmental growth and sustainability. Shri Nadda further highlighted the substantial increase in medical education over the past 11 years. “There are now 808 medical colleges in the country. Annual UG medical seats have grown from around 35,000 to 1.25 lakh. In the last Cabinet, the Hon’ble Prime Minister sanctioned 5,000 new UG and PG seats in government medical colleges,” he stated. He added that in the next five years, an additional 75,000 medical seats will be introduced in government medical institutions. During the event, the institute’s Kulgeet was officially released, symbolizing the spirit and ethos of AIIMS Bilaspur. The proceedings also included a special award distribution ceremony, where meritorious students in recognition of their outstanding academic and extracurricular achievements were felicitated by the Union Health Minister. Background: AIIMS Bilaspur, Himachal Pradesh, established under the Pradhan Mantri Swasthya Suraksha Yojana (PMSSY), is a premier tertiary healthcare institute serving not only Himachal Pradesh but also the neighboring states. The foundation stone of AIIMS Bilaspur was laid by Hon'ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi On October 3, 2017, and the institute was dedicated to the nation by the Hon’ble Prime Minister on October 5, 2022. Today, the institute is functioning with more than 734 operational beds, providing comprehensive healthcare, advanced diagnostics, cutting-edge cancer care, and life-saving transplant services. Guided by the motto “Sarve Santu Niramaya” - may all be free from disease - AIIMS Bilaspur has rapidly evolved into a center of excellence for healthcare delivery, education, and research. Dedicated to advancing healthcare excellence, AIIMS Bilaspur stands at the forefront of patient care, medical education, and research. With a focus on state-of-the-art diagnostic technologies, specialized treatment facilities and holistic patient support, the center continues to set new benchmarks in delivering quality health services for the community and beyond. Every department, from advanced diagnostics to critical care and research, reflects a commitment to patient wellbeing, clinical innovation, and sustainable growth. Advanced Diagnostics: Equipped with state-of-the-art imaging services including a new 1.5 tesla MRI, 128-SLICE CT Scanner, and Nuclear Medicine Facilities (PET-CT, SPECT-CT, And Radionuclide Therapy). Specialized Care: Comprehensive cancer treatment with modern Radiotherapy, Oncology Units, And Functional Cath Lab. Critical & Emergency Services: 64 ICU beds across Cardiac, Medical, NICU, And PICU Wards, along with a dedicated Bronchoscopy suite and uninterrupted oxygen supply through an LMO plant. Transplants and surgeries: 8 successful kidney transplants completed and eye bank with corneal transplant unit to be commissioned soon. Research & laboratories: Establishment Of Endocrinology and Immunology Labs, And A Regional Viral Research And Diagnostic Laboratory Costing ₹19.83 Crore, Enhancing Disease Surveillance Capabilities. Patient support: with three Amrit/Jan Aushadhi Pharmacies, affordable medicine access has expanded. A 250-bed Vishram Sadan (₹26.75 crore) is also under construction to provide accommodation for patient attendants. Education & Training: Modern lecture hall complex, Simulation, and Skill Labs Strengthening Medical and Nursing training. Infrastructure Development: residential quarters, hostels with 540+ capacity, rooftop solar power plant, and an indoor stadium under the khelo india initiative are under progress, ensuring sustainable growth of the institute. AIIMS Bilaspur aims to further its role as a medical hub in North India with upcoming projects including a bone marrow transplant & therapy block (₹18.52 crore), advanced autopsy block (₹34.61 crore), a new trauma & critical care centre, a robotic surgery unit and drone-based logistics system for remote healthcare support. A multilevel car parking facility (624 vehicles, ₹72.97 crore) and a school for staff and students' families are also on the anvil. With these milestones and ambitious expansion projects, AIIMS Bilaspur will continue to redefine healthcare accessibility and excellence in the region. Smt. Ankita Mishra Bundela, Joint Secretary (PMSSY), Union Health Ministry; Prof. (Dr.) Narendra Kumar Arora, President, AIIMS Bilaspur; Prof. (Dr.) Dayanand Sharma, Executive Director, AIIMS Bilaspur; Lt. Col. Paranjape, Registrar and other eminent dignitaries were also present on the occasion. Also Read:JP Nadda announces projects worth Rs 178 crore at AIIMS Bilaspur, lauds renal transplant centre facilities