The Vallabhbhai Patel Chest Institute (VPCI) commemorated its 75th anniversary with a grand celebration that reflected on its remarkable legacy and contributions to pulmonary medicine and chest diseases. Speaking at the event, Prof. Raj Kumar, Director of VPCI, expressed immense pride in the institute’s achievements and its ongoing dedication to advancing healthcare.

“As we celebrate 75 years of service to the nation, we look back at our accomplishments in chest medicine while maintaining our commitment to innovation, education, and patient care,” Prof. Kumar stated. He also extended gratitude to the dignitaries and attendees for being part of VPCI’s journey, which began with its foundation in 1949.

Since its inception, VPCI has played a critical role in pulmonary research, education, and clinical care. Founded by Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, India’s first Home Minister, the institute was inaugurated in 1953 by Union Health Minister Raj Kumari Amrit Kaur. The hospital wing, now known as Viswanathan Chest Hospital, was opened in 1957 by India’s first President, Dr. Rajendra Prasad. Over the years, VPCI has established itself as a premier institution, renowned for world-class chest medicine services, training medical professionals, and conducting cutting-edge research in respiratory diseases.

Prof. Kumar emphasized the institute’s success in training postgraduates in pulmonary medicine and allied sciences, along with its numerous research breakthroughs. The institute’s alumni have continued to excel both in India and abroad, carrying forward the knowledge and expertise they gained at VPCI.

Among the institute’s landmark contributions is the work of the late Prof. Autar Singh Paintal, a former director and renowned physiologist who led the institute from 1964 to 1990. Prof. Paintal is best known for his discovery of Type J receptors, which linked breathlessness to tachypnoea. His pioneering research transformed the field of physiology and earned him international recognition. In his honor, the 18th Prof. Autar Singh Paintal Memorial Oration was delivered by Prof. Nikhil Tandon from AIIMS on the topic “Harnessing Technology and Task Sharing to Improve the Management of Non-Communicable Diseases.”

In addition to its academic and research excellence, VPCI provides comprehensive diagnostic and treatment services. With a 128-bed inpatient facility and specialized services in critical care, CT scanning, pulmonary function studies, and sleep studies, the institute caters to patients not only from India but also from neighboring countries, including Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Nepal, and Bhutan. Annually, VPCI registers between 12,000 to 15,000 new cases and handles 50,000 to 60,000 follow-up cases.

Further underscoring its commitment to quality healthcare, VPCI received NABH accreditation in May 2023, recognizing its adherence to international standards of excellence.

As an academic leader, VPCI is home to several national centers of importance, including the VPCI-DHR-ICMR Multi-disciplinary Research Unit, the National Tobacco Quit Line Services, and the National Centre of Respiratory Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology. It has also been designated as a Centre of Excellence for Allergic Diseases and Climate Change.

In 2023, the institute expanded its educational offerings, introducing 14 short-term courses and launching its first M.Sc. course in Respiratory Therapy. It has also seen active involvement in national and international research projects, funded by agencies such as ICMR, CSIR, and DBT. VPCI has maintained its focus on providing advanced training in chest medicine and allied sciences to medical professionals across India.

Recent events commemorating VPCI’s 75th year included the celebration of National Pharmacovigilance Week and World Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis (IPF) Awareness Week, alongside several public lectures on respiratory health issues such as TB, asthma, and air pollution. The institute also hosted a CME on Pharmacovigilance and participated in a super-speciality respiratory camp in Ladakh.

Prof. Kumar announced VPCI’s plans for future expansion, with 13 acres of land allocated for developing the institute’s facilities. As part of its long-term vision, the institute aims to review and update its objectives to meet the evolving healthcare needs of society.

“As we continue to advance in research and patient care, we remain committed to the vision set by our mentors, including the pioneering contributions of Prof. Autar Singh Paintal,” Prof. Kumar remarked. “We will strive to uphold the highest standards in service to the nation.”

As VPCI moves into its next phase, the institute’s legacy of excellence in chest medicine, education, and research ensures its ongoing role as a leader in respiratory health and allied sciences in India and beyond.