Dr Ashok Kumar Mittal elected to AIIMS Bathinda governing body

Dr Ashok Kumar Mittal, Rajya Sabha MP and Founder-Chancellor of Lovely Professional University, has been elected by 245 Members of Parliament from the Rajya Sabha as a member of the governing body of the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), Bathinda.

Dr Mittal is among the Rajya Sabha members recently elected to the governing bodies of various AIIMS institutions across the country. His election to AIIMS Bathinda adds an institutional responsibility to his parliamentary role and places him within the governance framework of a public healthcare and medical education institution in Punjab.

AIIMS Bathinda combines patient care, medical education and research. Its development is relevant to healthcare capacity and access to medical services in Punjab and the wider region.

Institutional governance supports healthcare institutions in advancing their academic, clinical and research objectives. In Punjab, medical education, healthcare capacity, research and innovation are areas of focus for developing public healthcare infrastructure.

Speaking on his election, Dr Ashok Kumar Mittal said, “ I am honoured to have been entrusted with this responsibility, having been elected by 245 Members of the Rajya Sabha. This appointment holds special significance for me: I was previously nominated by the Vice President of India as a member of the School of Planning and Architecture, and of the Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) Court — both central institutions located in Delhi. AIIMS Bathinda, though also a central institution, is located in Bathinda, in my own home state of Punjab. ”

He added, “ The Bathinda region faces a significant health burden linked to water table issues, with cancer being the most serious of these challenges. AIIMS Bathinda, with its clinical experience, its team of doctors, and the infrastructure it is building, can make a major contribution towards addressing the cancer burden faced by the people of Punjab, and particularly by those in the Bathinda region. I am especially glad that, as a member of AIIMS Bathinda, I may be able to contribute meaningfully to the health and well-being of the people of Punjab, and I look forward to strengthening Punjab’s healthcare ecosystem. ”

He further said, “ Healthcare and education are fundamental pillars of social and economic development. As we work towards a healthier and more developed Punjab, we must continue to strengthen institutions that can deliver quality healthcare while also creating the knowledge, talent and research capabilities needed for the future. My endeavour will be to bring a constructive and public-interest-oriented perspective to this responsibility. ”

The election comes as healthcare institutions are expected to integrate patient care with medical education, research, technology and innovation. AIIMS Bathinda can contribute to this ecosystem in Punjab.

Dr Mittal’s participation in the governing body provides an opportunity to contribute his perspective on institution-building and capacity development while supporting objectives related to medical education, healthcare accessibility, research and innovation. No specific initiatives or policy measures have been announced by Dr Mittal in connection with his new role at this stage.

As Punjab continues to strengthen its healthcare infrastructure and human-resource capabilities, institutions such as AIIMS Bathinda will remain relevant to healthcare access and the development of medical professionals and researchers. Institutional systems, academic excellence and public-oriented healthcare remain areas of focus for the state’s long-term development.