15,700 more MBBS seats: PM Modi led Cabinet gives nod to Conversion of 75 District Hospitals into Medical colleges

In total, the scheme on the establishment of new medical colleges (58+24+75) would lead to the addition of at least 15,700 MBBS seats in the country.

New Delhi: Moving towards its goal to having a medical college in every three districts, the PM Modi led Cabinet Committee on Economic has given its approval for the establishment of 75 additional Government Medical Colleges by 2021-22. This would be done via setting up of medical colleges to be attached with existing district/referral hospitals under Phase-III of the ongoing Centrally Sponsored scheme.

The decision noted that new medical colleges would be set up in under-served areas having no medical college; with at least 200 bedded District Hospital. Preference will be given to Aspirational Districts and District Hospital has 300 beds.

All in all, the schemes on the establishment of new medical colleges (58+24+75) would lead to addition of at least 15,700 MBBS seats in the country.

For the schemes approved today to increase the availability of healthcare infrastructure and manpower, the Cabinet also sanctioned an expenditure of Rs. 24,375 crore during the 15th Finance Commission period i.e. up to 2021-22.

The establishment of new Medical Colleges attached to existing District/Referral Hospitals, would lead to an increase in the availability of qualified health professionals, improve tertiary care in the Government sector, utilize the existing infrastructure of district hospitals and promote affordable medical education in the country.

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Continuing the focus on the creation of health care infrastructure, the Government earlier approved to establish 58 new Medical Colleges attached to existing district/referral hospitals under Phase-I and 24 under Phase-II. Of this, 39 medical colleges under Phase-I, have already started functioning, while the remaining 19 would be made functional by 2020-21. Under Phase-II, 18 new medical colleges have been approved.

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