62 Years of Healing :PGIMER Geared Up for Landmark Institute Foundation Day Tomorrow I.e. 7th July, 2025

PGIMER, Chandigarh, is set to celebrate its 62nd Institute Foundation Day tomorrow i.e. July 7, 2025, marking over six decades of dedicated service in medical education, research, and patient care. This milestone underscores the institute’s enduring commitment to excellence in healthcare and its pivotal role in advancing medical sciences in India.

The institute is privileged to host Dr. Rajiv Bahl, Secretary to Government of India, Department of Health Research and Director General of the Indian Council of Medical Research, as the esteemed Chief Guest for the occasion and he will deliver an inspiring keynote address themed on ‘Creating more physicians scientists and innovators in leading medical institutes.’

A distinguished physician-scientist specializing in paediatrics and public health, Dr. Bahl has been a leading figure in maternal and child health research for over 30 years. His career includes leadership roles at the World Health Organization (WHO) in Geneva, where he served as Head of Research on maternal, new-born, child, and adolescent health from 2013 to 2022. Prior to that, he managed New-born and Child Health research at WHO and was a scientist at AIIMS in Delhi. His work has supported multi-country research in Asia and Africa and has strengthened research capacity across more than 50 institutions worldwide.  

Dr. Bahl has also been recognized with an Honorary Doctorate from the University of Bergen, Norway, in 2022, for his contributions to maternal and child health.

Joining him as Guest of Honour is Dr. D. Behera, Professor Emeritus at PGIMER and President of the National Academy of Medical Sciences, New Delhi. With over 40 years of experience, Dr. D.Behera is a renowned respiratory specialist, former Dean at PGIMER, and leader in lung cancer research. He has published extensively, authored nine books, and received numerous national and international awards.

Founded in 1961 with the concurrence of the Planning Commission, PGIMER commenced operations in 1962 and was formally inaugurated on July 7, 1963, by the then Prime Minister Pt. Jawaharlal Nehru. Recognized as an “Institute of National Importance” in 1967, PGIMER Chandigarh has been at the forefront of medical innovation and patient care, contributing significantly to national health initiatives under the aegis of the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India.

Spanning an expansive area of 277 acres, the institute is a hub of medical excellence with a dedicated workforce of 11,847 employees, including 728 esteemed faculty members and around 1,300 academic resident doctors, including sponsored and foreign national categories across 47 specialized departments and 10 centres of excellence.

The institute has a capacity of 2,233 beds, including 207 ICU beds and 73 operation theatres, facilitating comprehensive healthcare services. Annually, PGIMER caters to approximately 10,000 outpatient visits daily, totalling around 3 million visits, with 200,000 admissions for both long-term and day-care treatments, alongside 80,000 surgeries encompassing major and minor procedures. The paediatric emergency services handle about 10,000 cases annually, supported by a Paediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU) admitting 800 patients per year.

The institute offers services across 160 specialties and super-specialties, supported by numerous laboratories and advanced diagnostic facilities. Its commitment to continuously upgrading technology is reflected in the availability of cutting-edge equipment such as a 384-slice dual-source CT scan, advanced PET and CT facilities, metabolic and genetic laboratories, vascular intervention labs, and MRI machines.

Patient care remains the institute’s top priority, guided by the motto “Service with Sacrifice.” Its commitment to accessible healthcare is reflected in its extensive outreach through government schemes such as Ayushman Bharat, benefiting over 1.55 lakh beneficiaries, including 147 renal transplants till date under the scheme.

PGIMER has extended its support through various welfare funds like the Poor Patient Welfare Fund, Prime Minister’s Relief Fund, and Rashtriya Arogya Nidhi Umbrella Scheme, National Policy for Rare Diseases benefitting over 1.52 lakh individuals with benefits totalling approximately 430 crore rupees over the past five years.

In addition to clinical services, PGIMER is a leader in medical research and education. It offers 20 MD/MS courses, 47 DM/MCh courses, 35 Fellowships, 350 seats in PhD course, 21 M.Sc, 12 Paramedical courses and 03 Nursing courses, across various disciplines. Admissions are through a competitive national-level entrance exam, drawing students from across India.

The institute’s faculty, staff, and students actively participate in national and international forums, enhancing PGIMER’s global reputation. Renowned both nationally and internationally, PGIMER's excellence is reflected in numerous awards and recognitions, solidifying its stellar standing in the medical field.

Collaborations with regional and international centres of excellence foster advanced research and innovation. PGIMER’s mission is rooted in providing unbiased, evidence-based treatment to patients, quality education to students, and dedicated service to society. The institute sees itself as a pilgrimage for patients seeking world-class healthcare, a nurturing ground for future medical professionals, and a hub of scientific advancement.

As PGIMER celebrates this historic milestone, the focus remains on its core values of service, sacrifice, and scientific progress. The 62nd Foundation Day promises to be a celebration of past achievements and a reaffirmation of the institute’s unwavering dedication to improving health outcomes for all.