The universities it has signed MoUs include the Harvard University, Stanford University, the University of Michigan in the US; University College, London; Australia's Deakin University, Monash University, George Institute of Global Health, Cologne University, Germany; Erasmus University, the Netherlands; IIT-Kharagpur and IIT-Delhi.

Budding doctors: Students at the Christian Medical College, Vellore. (Photo: HK Rajashekar)

AIIMS has got research funding for collaborative research and has created the AIIMS Endowment Fund with two Infosys chairs in the obstetrics and gynecology and oncology departments.

It provides a unique organizational culture, intense academic training, and exposure to world-class research, says Prof. Arti Vij, chairperson of AIIMS's media protocol division. A fully-equipped, state-of-the-art undergraduate practical hall has become operational in the department of microbiology. The department of anatomy has also started conducting postgraduate seminars in a collaborative Wiki format.

Learning fundamental principles: Students at the dissection lab, AIIMS. (Photo: Yasir Iqbal)

The institute is continuously upgrading itself. For instance, a free generic pharmacy store was opened a few years ago for outpatients to cater to the needs of the weaker sections of society. "AIIMS is doing procedures like angiography and stenting for heart attack, pacemakers for heart blockages and balloon valvuloplasty for rheumatic valve narrowing-all free of cost, irrespective of the socio-economic status of the general ward patients. This has significantly helped in saving the lives of hundreds of heart patients," adds Vij.

 

 

AIIMS has also provided leadership to quality improvement initiatives across different fields in South East Asia.

Dr. Randeep Guleria, Director, AIIMS.

What makes AIIMS unique?

AIIMS continues to strive to educate the next generation of leaders in medicine and science. The research community at AIIMS has contributed significantly to innovations and academic publications, in collaborations with related disciplines. More than 700 research projects are being conducted and the institute has attracted research grants of more than Rs 100 crore from national and international agencies/organizations in various areas. We have a state-of-the-art patient care facility. Recently, we have installed India's largest and most advanced Gait Lab and 3D printing lab. We have also set up of fragility fracture liaison. Besides, participatory, transparent, and consensus-based decision-making and governance ensure that AIIMS remains at the top.

New initiatives in the past three years

We are conducting an online computer-based entrance examination and counseling for admission in various courses. We have also launched a digital histology laboratory in the anatomy department, established an e-learning and telemedicine facility. All new AIIMS are connected to us. We are using telemedicine facilities-Pan African E-Health Network-to demonstrates live surgeries and implement consultation procedures in Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam National Hospital, Pamplemousses, Mauritius. New departments like on-anesthesia, palliative medicine, and rheumatology have been started at the AIIMS. Further, we have started new DM courses on infectious diseases, pediatric nephrology, pediatric pulmonology and intensive care, addiction psychiatry, therapeutic nuclear medicine, and vascular radiology.

Lajjaben Jayesh Kumar Patel, MBBS student.