Coming Up: 5 Brownfield Medical Colleges in Gujarat, Pharma majors show interest

Ahmedabad: The Gujarat government’s invite for applications from parties interested in starting five Brownfield Medical Colleges and a few of the Greenfield category, have resulted in 10 proposals having been received by it.

The government as part of its initiative under the new health policy is aiming at doubling the number of medical seats by 2022, and reducing the doctor-patient ratio by half. A Brownfield Medical College is one that comes into being by converting an existing government hospital into a medical college cum public hospital. A Greenfield Medical College on the other hand is set up as a new college and hospital facility.

The government is believed to have received 10 proposals for the Brownfield category and three for the Greenfield initiative. The government is expecting a Rs. 1000 crore investment from the private sector, in the setting up of the 5 Brownfield Hospitals, each at an expense of Rs.200 crore.

The Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare, Shankar Chandhary said, "In the first phase we invited proposals for Palanpur, Dahod, Amreli, Bharuch and Vyara hospitals to be developed into brownfield medical colleges. For these places, we have received about ten proposals, which are under scrutiny. We are expediting the process to start these new medical colleges in the current year. We are also expecting more greenfield medical colleges under the new health policy. Each college is expected to have 100 to 150 MBBS seats. We also want to promote postgraduate medical studies at these colleges," reports TOI.

According to information, Cadila Group (Modi), Zydus Cadila, Banas Dairy,Sumul, Sun Pharma are the leading private entrepreneurs who have shown interest in starting the Brownfield Medical Colleges.

The government is supposed to hand over 5 hospitals to the applicants to initiate Brownfield facilities along with Rs. 37.5 cr as financial assistance. The 5 bidders selected will have to construct new college buildings in accordance with government norms.

The government is expected to make a choice from the 10 for the five Brownfield Medical Colleges and recommend them to the Medical Council of India (MCI).

Under the new health policy, the government has announced substantial financial incentives for Greenfield and Brownfield Medical Colleges with hospitals and new diagnostic centers in remote rural areas.

A 75 crore subsidy will be provided by the government for the Greenfield projects with 300 bedded hospitals in rural areas,under the National Health Plan and half of this amount is to be made available for the Brownfield College Hospital projects.

At the same time private diagnostic centers and super specialty hospitals intending to provide support in the fields of cardiac surgery, neurology, neurosurgery, nephrology, urology, medical oncology, surgical oncology, radiation oncology, cardiology, MRI, CT scan machines, gastroenterology will be given 30% of the cost in the form of subsidy for work in tribal and underdeveloped areas and 20% in other areas. These facilities are meant to have been operative for a period of 3 years in the area approved by the government.