Presiding over the golden jubilee convocation of Indira Gandhi Medical College (IGMC) here, the President said, "Medical care is a basic requirement of people and there is need for providing better medical services in rural areas by expanding and strengthening the health services."
He said the convocation ceremony was a culmination of long years of academic work for graduating students and they should use their knowledge, skills and expertise in serving the people and facing the challenges that come in their way.
He called upon the doctors to serve in rural areas.
"Doctors serving in rural areas is an important aspect which needs to be looked into collectively by both the Centre and state governments. We also require more nurses and para-medical staff to serve the huge population of our country," he said.
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Pranab also recalled Mahatma Gandhi's teachings of "being the change you want to see" and said Gandhiji always talked about welfare of the weakest and poorest persons to arrive at correct decisions.
Speaking on the occasion, Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh appealed toall the graduate and postgraduate students to serve thehumanity with compassion, dedication and love without anymonetary greed.
He said that it was a matter of pride for any institution to complete along successful journey and celebrate its 50 years of existence.
Singh said IGMC, formed in 1966, is among few medical colleges in northIndia having facilities for cardiac catheterisation and angiographicservices and open heart surgery facility.