AIIMS Jammu concludes Swachhta Pakhwada 2025, setting new benchmarks in healthcare cleanliness and sustainability

STATE TIMES NEWS

JAMMU: The All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), Vijaypur, Jammu, has victoriously concluded the ‘Swachhta Pakhwada 2025’-a dynamic fortnight-long cleanliness and hygiene awareness campaign that was conducted from April 1 to 15, 2025.

The culmination ceremony held on Wednesday served as a momentous occasion that celebrated the collective resolve of the Institute in fostering a clean, safe, and sustainable healthcare environment.
The campaign conducted under the visionary leadership of Prof. (Dr.) Shakti Kumar Gupta, Executive Director & CEO, AIIMS Jammu.
His mentorship ensured the campaign’s success through a rich blend of thematic activities, community participation, and institutional dedication.
Dr. Shruti Sharma, Additional Professor, Department of Anaesthesia, and Chairperson of the Swachhta Pakhwada Committee, steered the initiative with the support of Dr. Harsimran Jeet Singh, Assistant Professor, Anatomy, Dr. Swati Rajput, Assistant Professor, Biochemistry, and Dr. Rimple Sharma, Principal, College of Nursing, along with committed faculty, Nursing staff, and student volunteers.
Each day of the campaign was thematically driven to promote various aspects of hygiene, environmental sustainability, and safety within the campus. It began with the Swachhta Commencement Day on April 1, featuring the Swachhta Shapath Ceremony, where faculty, residents, Nursing Officers, sanitation staff and administrators took a collective pledge for cleanliness.
A NukkadNatak (street play) by Nursing Officers set an inspiring tone for the fortnight. The subsequent days followed with Pest Control Day, Sanitation and Hygiene Day, Infection Control Day and a green initiative through the Plantation Drive Day. Swachhta activities encouraged creative engagement through slogan writing and poster-making competitions.
The campaign further highlighted Biomedical Waste Management Day, Plastic Waste Management Awareness Day, and Fire Safety Awareness Day, integrating essential training and sensitization sessions for hospital staff and support teams. The concluding days focused on intensive cleanliness drives, including the Trikuta Chhaatravaas Swachhta Abhiyaan, Awasiya Parisar Swachhta Abhiyaan, and the Pravesh Dvaar Swachhta Abhiyaan.
Dr. Amit Lathwal and his team from AIIMS Delhi’s Department of Hospital Administration visited the Institute, conducted a detailed lecture on biomedical waste management, and assessed AIIMS Jammu’s practices, providing valuable recommendations.
Senior Nursing Officers and supervisors from AIIMS Delhi carried out field assessments in key clinical areas such as the Operation Theatres, Emergency Department and ICUs actively engaging with the local Nursing teams to share best practices and strengthen infection control standards.
Additionally, the Department of Microbiology under Dr. Manish Ranjan, in collaboration with the Infection Control Team, conducted daily training sessions on needlestick injury prevention, spill management, hand hygiene, and biomedical waste handling, tailored for Nursing Officers, attendants, and housekeeping staff.
Widespread cleanliness drives were undertaken across the Institute, including OPD, IPD, AYUSH Block, Residential Complex, Mortuary Block, and Main Entrance, with active ‘Shram-Daan’ by faculty, staff, and students. Fire safety drills, plantation drives, digital awareness campaigns, and community outreach programs by the Departments of Community Medicine and Obstetrics & Gynaecology amplified the campaign’s outreach and effectiveness.
Dr. Saroj Kumar, Director from the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, visited AIIMS Jammu as an official observer from April 15 to 16, 2025. During his visit, he was warmly welcomed and extensively briefed by the Executive Director & CEO, Prof. (Dr.) Shakti Kumar Gupta.
Dr. Kumar expressed his deep appreciation for the remarkable leadership of Prof. Gupta in developing AIIMS Jammu into a clean, green, and patient-friendly institute. He was impressed by the high standards of sanitation and hygiene maintained across the campus and commended the institute for its exemplary swachhta initiatives and robust infection control measures.
Dr. Saroj Kumar’s visit reflected his overall satisfaction and admiration for the dedicated efforts being made to uphold quality healthcare patient centric activities and a safe environment for all at AIIMS Jammu.
The culmination ceremony was graced by the presence of Prof. (Dr.) S.S. Kale, Professor & Head, Department of Neurosurgery, AIIMS New Delhi, and renowned Neuro-Spinal Surgeon, who attended as the Chief Guest.
In his address, Prof. (Dr.) Kale lauded Prof Shakti’s exceptional commitment to hygiene, infection control, and sustainable practices. He emphasized that such dedicated institutional efforts are critical not only for ensuring quality healthcare but also for nurturing a culture of civic responsibility and environmental stewardship. He concluded his address by quoting ‘Cleanliness is Godliness’.
As part of the closing ceremony, Swachhta Awards and Certificates of Appreciation were presented to departments and individuals who demonstrated outstanding participation and leadership throughout the campaign.