White Coat Ceremony Held for 174 New Medical Students at GMC Srinagar

SRINAGAR: A total of 174 new MBBS students were formally given their white coats during a ceremony held at Government Medical College (GMC) Srinagar on Wednesday, marking the beginning of their medical journey.

Minister for Health and Medical Education, Social Welfare and Education, Sakeena Itoo addressed the ceremony and welcomed the new batch, describing the occasion as a milestone symbolising responsibility, empathy, and service to humanity.

Secretary Health and Medical Education, Dr Syed Abid Rasheed Shah, Principal GMC Srinagar, Dr Iffat Hassan, faculty members, and a large number of students attended the event.

In her address, Minister Sakeena congratulated the fresh batch for securing admission to one of the oldest and most reputed medical institutions of Jammu and Kashmir. She said that pursuing medicine is not merely an academic pursuit but a lifelong commitment to serve with compassion, integrity, and professionalism.

“The medical profession is built on trust and empathy. As future doctors, your duty extends beyond treating diseases,” she remarked, urging students to combine scientific excellence with ethical responsibility.

Highlighting the government’s commitment to strengthening healthcare and medical education, the Minister said GMC Srinagar has played a key role in shaping Jammu and Kashmir’s healthcare system. She assured full government support for projects aimed at upgrading teaching, research, and hospital facilities.

Secretary Health and Medical Education, Dr Syed Abid Rasheed Shah, spoke about the importance of ethics and emerging sciences, while Principal GMC Srinagar, Dr Iffat Hassan, highlighted the institution’s evolution and contribution to medical education in the region.

During the event, students who participated in poster and skit competitions were felicitated, and the new batch took the Hippocratic Oath, pledging to uphold the values of the medical profession.