Union Minister of Health and Family Welfare JP Nadda addressed a Leadership Conclave of Presidents and Executive Directors of newly established All India Institute of Medical Sciences institutions in New Delhi, underscoring the need to balance expansion with quality, governance discipline and patient-centric care.
The conclave, convened by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, is envisioned as a continuing platform to strengthen institutional capacity, promote inter-institutional collaboration and build a cohesive AIIMS network to reinforce public health systems nationwide.
Highlighting the rapid expansion of the AIIMS network, the minister stressed the importance of maintaining equilibrium among patient care, medical education and research. He called for a structured patient feedback framework and concrete measures to enhance patient satisfaction, while urging new AIIMS to progressively achieve global benchmarks in clinical care and academic standards without compromising the institutional ethos associated with the AIIMS system.
With different AIIMS operating at varying stages of development, he emphasised coordinated growth through mutual support and structured collaboration. He noted that 20 AIIMS have formed a collaborative research consortium aligned with national health priorities, and underlined that institutional leadership must combine administrative efficiency with academic excellence to drive such initiatives effectively.
Clarifying governance structures, the minister reiterated that the President of each AIIMS represents the Ministry and provides oversight and guidance, while the Executive Director is responsible for day-to-day administration. He stressed that maintaining this functional distinction is essential for effective institutional management. Greater transparency, accountability and objectivity in decision-making processes were also highlighted as priorities.
On technology integration, the minister urged adoption of advanced tools, including artificial intelligence in diagnostics and clinical decision-making, and called for institutionalising telemedicine services as a routine component of AIIMS operations. He also emphasised strengthening outreach programmes to expand community engagement and reinforce the public health mandate of the institutions.
Addressing human resource development, he called for accelerated faculty recruitment while maintaining academic and clinical standards. He recommended conducting at least four interview cycles annually and pointed to recent increases in faculty appointments across AIIMS. He further emphasised the need for regular conduct of structured recruitment mechanisms such as NORCET and the Common Recruitment Examination for nursing and non-faculty staff to ensure timely appointments.
The minister directed that Jan Aushadhi Kendras and AMRIT Pharmacies be established and maintained in all AIIMS to improve affordable access to medicines. He also advocated for structured faculty and student exchange programmes between AIIMS and other Institutes of National Importance, with AIIMS playing a leading role in teaching and nursing capacity building.
Collaboration with premier institutions such as the Indian Institutes of Technology and Indian Institutes of Management was encouraged, particularly in areas including rare diseases, genetic disorders and medical technology innovation. While acknowledging the increase in the number of AIIMS, the minister cautioned that expansion should not dilute established standards of care and medical education.
He also highlighted the importance of fostering responsible student leadership aligned with institutional values and academic discipline.
On the occasion, the minister released a publication titled “Compilation of Office Memorandum and Guidelines on Various Matters,” prepared by the Finance Division of the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare. The document consolidates key financial and administrative instructions issued over time and is intended as a reference guide for institutions under the ministry, including newly established AIIMS.
Senior ministry officials, along with Presidents and Executive Directors of various new AIIMS institutions, participated in the deliberations.
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