President Ram Nath Kovind on October 29 called for the need of a large number of good doctors and medical colleges for delivery of effective health services across the country.

Addressing the first convocation of Dr Rajendra Prasad Government Medical College here in Kangra district, he said the Indian Medical Council (Amendment) Ordinance 2018 has been promulgated to promote good medical institutes and to tackle the challenges of medical education.

"This will encourage the establishment, expansion and modernisation of medical colleges and institutions," he said. The President is on a two-day visit to Himachal Pradesh. On Tuesday he will preside over the 24th convocation of Himachal Pradesh University in state capital Shimla.

State Governor Acharya Devvrat said the young doctors passing out from this institution should serve with dedication and commitment. "Students should also respect their parents and teachers as it is due to their hard work and sacrifice they have achieved whatever they are today," he said.

He said the young generation should lead harmonious and simple life and the doctors should also motivate the people, especially the youths, to adopt simple and tension-free life. Devvrat said it was heartening to know that out of eight recipients of gold medals, seven are girls. 

At present, the state has six government medical colleges. The Central government has sanctioned an AIIMS for the state which would be opened in Bilaspur district. Thakur said with all these prestigious institutions the state would be producing 600 doctors annually and all the health institutions would have best doctors to serve the people of the state.