Late Rajkumari Ms Amrit Kaur Ahluwalia (Bibiji)

First Health Minister of Independent India

Late Rajkumari Amrit Kaur Ahluvalia (Bibji) was an Indian activist and politician.

She was appointed the first Health Minister of India in 1947 and remained in office until 1957. She was instrumental in setting up the National Institute of Sports, Patiala.

During her tenure, Kaur ushered in several healtheare reforms in India and is widely remembered for her contributions to the sector and her advocacy of women's rights.

HER Contribution to Healthcare Landscape in India

* Campaign to fight the spread of Malaria.

* Campaign to eradicate Tuberculosis and

B.C.G vaccination programme in the world.

Her Path-breaking Initiatives

# Introduced a Bill in the Lok Sabha for the establishment of AlIMS in 1956.

* Instrumental in establishing All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIMS), New Delhi.

* Raised funds for the establishment of AIMS, securing aid from New Zealand, Australia, West Germany, Sweden, and the US.

# She and one of her brothers donated their ancestral property and house (named

Manorville) in Shimla, Himachal Pradesh to serve as a holiday home for the staff of the AIIMS.

Change-Making Positions Held

* Founder & President, Indian Council of Child Welfare.

* President, Indian Leprosy Association.

* President, Tuberculosis Association.

* Vice-President, International Red Cross Society.

* President, WHO Assembly in 1950.

Laurels Brought to Rajkumari Bibiji Amrit Kaur

Considering her lioness attribute to struggle for the society and the freedom of India, Time Magazine named her as “Woman of the year for 1947’.

Impact Brought in the Lives of Common Indians

She did not only help build lasting democratic healthcare institutions but also inspired generations to fight for the marginalized. Her largest campaign as Health Minister though, was against Malaria.

However, at the height of the campaign, in 1955, it was estimated that 400,000 Indians who otherwise died have been saved by mitigation of malaria in that district.