Lucknow, September 13: Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, while addressing the foundation day ceremony of Dr. Ram Manohar Lohia Institute of Medical Sciences at Indira Gandhi Pratishthan, stated that life can be characterized by three states—tendency, distortion, and culture. He explained that tendency signifies remaining unchanged, distortion refers to a continuous decline, and decisions that serve the broader public and national interest represent culture. He cited the institute as a prime example of this culture. In a span of just 19 years, the institute has grown from 20 beds to 1,375. During the event, the CM inaugurated and laid the foundation stone for projects valued at Rs 298 crore, emphasizing the importance of society and the nation keeping pace with time.
He warned that failure to do so could lead to being trapped by time itself, quoting poet Dr. Shyam Narayan Pandey: “This is the seat of Mahakaal; no one rules over it.” The Chief Minister insisted that it is essential to stay two steps ahead of time. He remarked that aligning with the pace of time promotes progress, while merely drifting leads to stagnation, leaving no impact. He cautioned that inaction leading to losses for an institution would not be forgiven by future generations. The Chief Minister acknowledged that Dr.
Ram Manohar Lohia Institute of Medical Sciences has made substantial progress in keeping with the pace of change, having secured a position among Uttar Pradesh’s top three medical institutions within just five years. While King George’s Medical University has a legacy of 110 years and SGPGI has operated for nearly four decades, Lohia Institute has achieved significant milestones in a much shorter timeframe. He attributed this success to the strength of their vision and leadership, noting that teamwork and determination continue to inspire enthusiasm among the populace despite challenges. The CM highlighted the state’s healthcare readiness, stating that Uttar Pradesh had set a model for combating the corona pandemic through innovative technology use.
He indicated that the Lohia Institute serves as the primary healthcare facility for patients from eastern Uttar Pradesh, who often turn to RML before considering KGMU or SGPGI, particularly due to the high population density in eastern Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, and Nepal. The CM commended the three major institutions for their significant roles in enhancing healthcare and medical education in Uttar Pradesh, noting that they established new benchmarks in health and education under varying conditions. These advancements were particularly noticeable during the corona pandemic, marking the first time the state faced such a crisis.
Reflecting on the initial pandemic days, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath recalled that there were no COVID-19 testing facilities when the first cases emerged in Agra and Noida, necessitating sample transfers to AIIMS and Safdarjung hospitals in Delhi. Over time, testing capabilities were established statewide, improving the overall process. At that time, 36 districts had no ICU beds, coupled with a severe shortage of trained personnel. Despite these hurdles, the state implemented innovative approaches like virtual ICUs. SGPGI, KGMU, and RML hospitals trained staff and provided support across all 75 districts through virtual ICU setups.
With guidance from master trainers, these institutions assisted other medical colleges and COVID hospitals, allowing Uttar Pradesh to showcase a technology-driven model for pandemic management to the world. The CM noted that the same strategy could now be employed to alleviate hospital overcrowding. He suggested expanding tele-consultation services to PHCs, CHCs, and digital hospitals in remote regions to ensure effective patient screening. Emphasizing the importance of healthcare, the Chief Minister reminded attendees of India’s ancient medical pioneers like Sushruta and Charaka, asserting that India has made unparalleled contributions to medicine, and this legacy empowers institutions to shape modern healthcare.
He highlighted that previously, over 50,000 children in eastern UP succumbed to encephalitis, but through collaboration and awareness, the disease is now fully controlled. This transformation, led by the health department, demonstrates that coordinated efforts across all sectors yield positive outcomes. The reforms have shifted the atmosphere in eastern UP from one of fear to one of enthusiasm and joy. The CM announced the inauguration of a Rs 50 crore Gamma Knife machine and the establishment of the state’s first advanced neurosciences center at the institute, aimed at providing treatment for brain tumors and other neurological disorders.
Progress is also underway for the development of medical device and pharmaceutical parks in the state, with ongoing work on a medical device park in Gautam Buddha Nagar and a pharma park in Lalitpur. “We are committed to making Uttar Pradesh an exemplary state, and this mission will continue at an accelerated pace,” concluded the UP Chief Minister. Present at the event were Deputy CM Brajesh Pathak, State Minister Mayankeshwaran Sharan Singh, Principal Secretary for Medical Health and Education Parth Sarathi Sen Sharma, Institute Director Prof. C.M. Singh, Dean Prof. Pradyumn Singh, CMS Vikram Singh, among others.