Guwahati, Sept 6: During his second engagement of his maiden Assam visit, Vice-President C P Radhakrishnan attended the fourth convocation of Srimanta Sankaradeva University of Health Sciences (SSUHS) on Sunday. “Young healthcare professionals have a crucial role in advancing the vision of a Viksit and Swasth Bharat,” the Vice-President said, wishing the graduating students success in their future endeavours.

On Assam's healthcare scenario, he noted that for the first time, the state's maternal mortality ratio has decreased below the national average, calling it a "milestone"." Assam is creating a day when people will come to the state for treatment," Radhakrishnan said, referring to the upcoming Proton Beam Therapy Unit under the Gauhati Medical College and Hospital for cancer treatment.

Along with degrees and diplomas being awarded to graduating students, three doctors from Assam were conferred the prestigious Dr John Berry White Award for 2023, 2024 and 2025. Dr Biki Dutta of Gauhati Medical College and Hospital (GMCH) received the award for 2023, while Dr Bhagyashree Modi of Tezpur Medical College was honoured for 2024.

Dr Pritom Deka of Assam Medical College and Hospital (AMCH), Dibrugarh, received the award for 2025. Instituted by SSUHS in the name of philanthropist Dr John Berry White, the award recognises the best MBBS graduate in the State each year.

“Behind the success of every child, there is immeasurable hard work and sacrifice made by their parents,” Sarma said, adding that the convocation marked not only the completion of formal education but also the beginning of a new journey for the graduates. “The growing interest in medical education is also reflected in the State's NEET figures.

In 2026, a total of 36,283 students from Assam appeared for NEET-UG, of whom 18,485 qualified, recording a pass rate of 51%,” Sarma said. He added that nine more medical colleges were under construction in Charaideo, Biswanath Chariali, Golaghat, Morigaon, Tamulpur, Dhemaji, Sivasagar, Sribhumi and Goalpara.

The Chief Minister further said the Centre had granted recognition to Bongaigaon Medical College as Assam's 15th State medical college, a development expected to take the State's total MBBS intake capacity to 2,000 seats. Urging SSUHS to prepare healthcare professionals for global opportunities, Sarma called for the integration of foreign language training, particularly Japanese, into GNM courses.

SSUHS graduates at the University's 4th convocation (Photo: @CMOfficeAssam/X)“The knowledge and skills that you have acquired through hard work, determination and dedication will now be put to test in the real world. Your discipline, sense of responsibility and perseverance will help you overcome the challenges that lie ahead,” he told the graduating students.