Be clinical in diagnosis but not in behaviour: Prez to doctors

President Droupadi Murmu attended the first convocation ceremony of the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) Deoghar in Jharkhand on Thursday. Addressing students, faculty, and dignitaries, President Murmu highlighted the importance of expanding AIIMS Deoghar’s focus beyond tertiary care to actively support primary healthcare delivery. “Primary care is the foundation of universal health coverage,” she said, calling on doctors and students to collaborate with Urban Primary Health Centres and Rural Community Health Centres to strengthen grassroots-level healthcare services. President Murmu reminded graduates that an AIIMS education is widely seen as a hallmark of excellence and urged them to pair their skills with empathy. “A good doctor is not just one with clinical knowledge, but one with a sharp clinical sense and sensitive communication skills,” she noted. Emphasizing the emotional aspect of caregiving, she said, “Be clinical in diagnosis or surgery, but not clinical in your behaviour. Be sympathetic and offer advice with compassion.”

स्वास्थ्य सेवा के क्षेत्र में हमारे देश को अनेक महत्वाकांक्षी लक्ष्य प्राप्त करने हैं। इन राष्ट्रीय लक्ष्यों को प्राप्त करने में AIIMS institutions की बहुत महत्वपूर्ण भूमिका रहेगी। pic.twitter.com/fJCX6ntrCz

— President of India (@rashtrapatibhvn) July 31, 2025

Calling AIIMS Deoghar a beacon of hope in bridging the gap in healthcare accessibility, President Murmu said such institutions are vital to fulfilling the nation’s ambitious health targets.