Governor calls for innovation, lifelong learning in healthcare
Andhra Pradesh Governor S. Abdul Nazeer on Saturday called upon medical graduates to pursue lifelong learning, innovation and ethical practice in healthcare while addressing the 6th Graduation Day of the NRI Institute of Medical Sciences (NRIIMS) here.
Congratulating the graduating students, he noted the steady growth of NRIIMS since its inception in 2012–13 and the expansion of its teaching hospital, Anil Neerukonda Hospital, which has grown from 300 beds in 2011 to 1,058 beds, offering multiple super-specialty services along with round-the-clock emergency and diagnostic facilities.
He said medical education must extend beyond classrooms, serving as a platform for research and innovation, and stressed the importance of continuous skill development in a rapidly evolving medical field.
Highlighting public health challenges, the Governor said India continues to face concerns such as lower life expectancy compared to global averages and a rising burden of non-communicable diseases, including diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, obesity and cancer, which are increasingly affecting younger age groups due to lifestyle factors.
He stressed the need for preventive healthcare through healthier lifestyles, regular health check-ups and better mental well-being, noting that these conditions have wider social and economic consequences.
Referring to healthcare infrastructure, he pointed to persistent disparities between urban and rural regions and shortages of doctors, nurses and allied health professionals, calling for enhanced investment and better resource allocation.
He observed that government health expenditure has increased significantly in recent years, while out-of-pocket spending has declined, supported by schemes such as Ayushman Bharat–PMJAY, free dialysis services and the Jan Aushadhi programme.
On medical technology, he said robotic surgery represents a major advancement in healthcare, offering greater precision, minimal invasiveness and faster recovery. He also cited a recent instance of remote robot-assisted surgery performed between Wuhan and Hyderabad as an example of advances in telemedicine.
The Governor urged graduates to uphold professional ethics and dedicate themselves to public service and patient care.