Karnataka to get 6 new medical colleges with 900 MBBS seats by 2020-21

Bengaluru: With the Union Cabinet announcement on the establishment of 75 additional Government Medical Colleges (GMCs) by the year 2021-22; the state of Karnataka is apparently set to get the boost of over 900 MBBS seats.

Medical Dialogues had earlier reported that moving towards its goal of having a medical college in every three districts, the PM Modi led Cabinet Committee has decided to 75 new GMCs will be established. 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.

Now, according to a recent report by Bangalore Mirror, the state will get 6 new medical colleges with 150 MBBS seats each as it has already sent a proposal to the centre to approve the institutes situated six different districts.

The new six medical colleges will come up in Chikkamagalur, Chikkaballapur, Chitradurga, Haveri, Yadgir and Bagalkote.

Speaking on the development, Dr PG Girish, Director of Medical Education (DME) told Bangalore Mirror, "After the centre has approved 75 new colleges in the country, we are sending a proposal for six new colleges in State. Each college will have 150 seats and over the years, the seats will be positively revised."

"For the inception and maintenance of six colleges, we need Rs 900 crores. In total, we will be requiring approximately Rs 5,400 crores for five years. The centre will also fund these colleges in 60:40 ratio where the State will pitch in 40 per cent of the fund," he added. The State is expecting that out of Rs 320 crores for each medical college, the Central government will give at least Rs 190 crores.

In May this year, the state had applied to the Medical Council of India (MCI) for 450 additional MBBS seats for the upcoming academic year.

The Medical Education Department has requested to the Medical Council of India for the enhancement of MBBS seats at Mysore, Hubballi and Hassan Medical Colleges mentioning that these medical colleges were academically doing well.

Read Also: Karnataka applies to MCI for 450 additional MBBS seats