Maharashtra proposes 11 new brownfield medical colleges

As of July 2019, the state is reported to have 8,580 MBBS seats across 52 Medical colleges. Of these, 4,310 MBBS seats are in 24 government medical colleges while 4,270 MBBS seats are there in the state 28 private medical institutes.

With the setting up of these 11 proposed medical colleges at Nandurbar, Satara, Parbhani, Buldhana, Sindhudurg, Nashik, Amravati, Usmanabad, Palghar, Alibaug, and Mumbai, the state will is expected to cross 9,500 mark.

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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.

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

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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Now, according to a recent report by HT, the government has proposed to convert 11 district hospitals in the state into GMCs in Nandurbar, Satara, Parbhani, Buldhana, Sindhudurg, Nashik, Amravati, Usmanabad, Palghar, Alibaug, and Mumbai. Of these, the institute in Nandurbar will be ready to admit MBBS candidates from this academic year itself.

The confirmation of these proposals were given by the Maharashtra Directorate of Medical Education & Research (DMER).

Speaking to HT, Dr TP Lahane, Director, DMER, informed that the proposal has been made considering the growing demand for medical and dental seats, for both UG and PG medical courses.

"The state has been planning to ease the competition by setting up more colleges. We are glad at least one of these colleges will be open for admission in the upcoming academic year 2020-21… We've chosen district hospitals that are already in good shape and can ease into teaching with least problems," he added.

"Year after year, Maharashtra makes for the highest section of candidates vying for UG Medical and dental seats yet students have to apply outside the state for seats. With more options within the state, students' struggle will reduce," a senior DMER official further stated.

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