Jitendra Singh Highlights Indigenous Medical Innovation at SCTIMST Convocation in Kerala

Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science and Technology and Earth Sciences Jitendra Singh virtually addressed the 42nd annual convocation of Sree Chitra Tirunal Institute for Medical Sciences and Technology (SCTIMST) in Thiruvananthapuram on Saturday, praising the institute for its contribution to indigenous and affordable medical technology innovation and its growing role in advanced healthcare research.

The convocation ceremony was attended by Union Health Secretary Punya Salila Srivastava as the chief guest. SCTIMST, an Institution of National Importance functioning under the Department of Science and Technology, also marked its Golden Jubilee celebrations during the event.

A total of 130 students received degrees and certificates across multiple programmes, including DM, MCh, post-doctoral fellowships, Master of Public Health, PhD, diploma and postgraduate diploma courses, and ACP in Neurological Sciences.

In his virtual address, Jitendra Singh congratulated the graduating students and faculty while highlighting the institute’s achievements in healthcare innovation, medical research and technology development. He noted that approval for the appointment of nearly 800 permanent faculty members would almost double the institute’s working capacity and significantly strengthen its academic and clinical infrastructure.

The minister also appreciated the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare for establishing the nine-floor Pradhan Mantri Swasthya Suraksha Yojana (PMSSY) block and a four-floor services block at the institute. According to him, the new facilities would help transform SCTIMST into one of India’s leading centres for neurosurgery and cardiac sciences.

Jitendra Singh praised the institute’s contribution under the Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana, stating that doctors at SCTIMST had treated more than 17,000 patients under the scheme since 2020. Referring to the foundation stone laid by Prime Minister Narendra Modi for the Malini Vasundhara Centre, he described the upcoming facility as a major step forward in precision-based and non-invasive treatment for neurological and oncological disorders.

Highlighting the institute’s role in medical technology innovation, the minister said SCTIMST has built a unique identity by developing world-class, indigenous and cost-effective medical devices. He noted that several technologies developed by the institute are transferred to industry every year, including seven technologies scheduled for transfer during the current year.

The minister also referred to the institute’s eight-institution Memorandum of Understanding initiative, calling it a unique collaborative effort that brings together leading national institutions to create a synergised research ecosystem. He said such partnerships would strengthen interdisciplinary research and enhance India’s scientific and healthcare capabilities.

Speaking on emerging areas of research, Jitendra Singh appreciated the collaboration between Indian Space Research Organisation and SCTIMST in the field of space medicine. He said the initiative could open new avenues in medical research, innovation and clinical practice, particularly in future healthcare technologies linked to space science and human physiology.

Addressing the graduating students, Union Health Secretary Punya Salila Srivastava described SCTIMST as a pioneering institution where engineers and medical professionals work together to drive healthcare innovation and develop advanced medical devices.

She congratulated the graduating students and expressed confidence that they would make significant contributions to healthcare and medical science in the years ahead. She also encouraged them to continue upholding scientific excellence, ethical values and compassion in their professional journeys.

Sharing an overview of the government’s healthcare policies, Srivastava said the vision of Ayushman Bharat is to ensure a continuum of care so that citizens not only live longer but also lead healthier lives. Referring to the National Health Policy 2017, she highlighted its emphasis on preventive, promotive, curative, rehabilitative and palliative healthcare.

The Health Secretary stressed the importance of strengthening India’s primary healthcare system and promoting wellness-focused healthcare to reduce the burden of non-communicable diseases such as cardiac and neurological disorders. She said the healthcare system has increasingly shifted towards preventive healthcare, screening and early diagnosis at the primary healthcare level.

She noted that healthcare packages under government schemes now include screening for non-communicable diseases, mental healthcare, geriatric care and palliative care. She also appreciated SCTIMST’s efforts in disease screening and early detection initiatives.

Explaining the different pillars of Ayushman Bharat, Srivastava said the programme is built around Ayushman Arogya Mandirs and the Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana, which together aim to provide integrated healthcare services from primary to tertiary care. She said more than 600 million citizens are currently covered under the scheme.

Highlighting the role of digital healthcare, she referred to the Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission and said the ABHA account system enables continuity of care through longitudinal digital health records. According to her, the system allows citizens to securely access and share health data across healthcare institutions while supporting referral systems and precision-based healthcare.

Srivastava also highlighted the Pradhan Mantri Ayushman Bharat Health Infrastructure Mission (PM-ABHIM), which focuses on strengthening healthcare infrastructure and building pandemic-resilient health systems across the country.

She further referred to the Pradhan Mantri Swasthya Suraksha Yojana, under which 75 super-specialty blocks have been developed nationwide along with support for 22 new AIIMS institutions. Encouraging graduates to serve in remote and underserved areas, she said the expansion of AIIMS institutions is helping improve healthcare access in difficult regions.

Speaking on emerging technologies, the Health Secretary highlighted government initiatives related to Artificial Intelligence in healthcare, including a recently launched AI healthcare strategy in collaboration with Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur. She also referred to “Bhashini”, an open data platform developed by the National Health Authority to support benchmarking of AI-driven healthcare tools.

Srivastava said the government is simultaneously working on strengthening regulatory systems while making research and innovation processes more industry-friendly. Referring to reforms by the Central Drugs Standard Control Organization (CDSCO), she said procedures related to low-risk drugs, test licences and bioavailability studies for generic medicines are being simplified.

She added that similar regulatory reforms are also being introduced in the medical devices sector to encourage innovation while ensuring public safety.

Advising students to continue learning throughout their careers, she observed that healthcare technologies and scientific knowledge are evolving rapidly, making continuous upskilling essential for medical professionals. She also urged graduates to remain empathetic towards patients, saying compassion and effective communication can significantly influence patient care and recovery.

Emphasising teamwork and ethical conduct, Srivastava said collaboration between engineers and doctors is vital for healthcare innovation and will play a crucial role in building a “Viksit Bharat”.

Among the 130 graduates, 29 students received DM degrees in disciplines including Cardiology, Neurology, Neuroimaging and Interventional Neuroradiology, Cardiac Imaging, Cardiothoracic and Vascular Anaesthesia, and Neuro-anaesthesia. Seven students graduated from MCh programmes including Cardiovascular and Thoracic Surgery, Vascular Surgery and Neurosurgery.

The institute also awarded degrees to 15 post-doctoral fellowship scholars, 40 Master of Public Health students, four post-doctoral certificate course students, 11 PhD scholars, 22 diploma and postgraduate diploma students and two members in ACP in Neurological Sciences.

Certificates of merit were also awarded to faculty members who received national and international honours for academic and research excellence. During the ceremony, the institute unveiled its Golden Jubilee logo and released a commemorative song marking the milestone year.

Krishna M. Ella attended the convocation as the guest of honour along with Kris Gopalakrishnan and Sanjay Behari, besides faculty members, researchers, students and parents.