J&K: GMC Baramulla with 100 MBBS seats inaugurated; 2 Medical Colleges approved

Srinagar: In development to medical education sector of the state, the Government Medical College (GMC) Baramulla with an allotment of 100 MBBS seats was recently inaugurated.

Besides, the state government has approved the opening of two more Government Medical Colleges in the State-one at Udhampur and another at Handwara, which will take the total number of Government Medical Colleges in the State to 9.

Baramulla Medical College

In May, Medical Dialogues had reported that the medical college was given permission by the apex Medical Council of India (MCI) to start functioning from the academic year 2019-20 with 100 MBBS seats

The MCI issued a letter of permission to the medical obtaining certain essential documents in order to formally issue the letter of permission.

The letter had stated, "After careful consideration of the scheme and taking into consideration the compliance verification assessment report along with the summary/ observations of the member of the undergraduate expert group appointed by the Board of Governors and an undertaking of the Principal Secretary Health and Medical Education…the Board of Governors has come to the conclusion that a letter may be issued for obtaining certain essential documents in connection with the issuance of letter of permission for establishment of new Medical College at Baramulla, with an annual intake of 100 students,"

Now, recently the medical college was inaugurated by the Governor Satya Pal Malik who terming the commencement of the medical college as a milestone towards healthcare infrastructure of Baramulla district, the Governor noted that every effort is being made by his administration to build an inclusive and robust healthcare delivery system at all levels of healthcare.

The GMC Baramulla has been sanctioned at an estimated cost of Rs 189 crore wherein a batch of about 100 MBBS students shall pursue their medical education during its 1st academic session.

Read Also: Baramulla Medical College gets MCI permission for 100 MBBS seats

Approval of 2 new medical colleges

"Jammu and Kashmir Government has identified Udhampur and Handwara as fresh locations for the opening of two new Medical Colleges in the State," an official statement said.

An official order issued by the Health and Medical Education Department recently stated that Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has asked the State Government to submit a proposal for the establishment of two more New Medical Colleges in the State out of a total of 75 new Medical Colleges proposed to be opened in the country.

"Accordingly the Health and Medical Education Department as per the guidelines of the Medical Council of India has identified District Hospital Udhampur and District Hospital Handwara for the establishment of new Medical Colleges," the order said, quotes Daily Excelsior.

The Department has asked the Deputy Commissioners of Udhampur and Kupwara to identify suitable land measuring minimum 200 kanals within the radius of 10 kilometres from the existing District Hospitals of Udhampur and Handwara, which is the first and foremost requirement for the establishment of new Medical College,

"All efforts will be made to ensure that the Government Medical College Udhampur starts functioning as early as possible," Union Minister of the state in Prime Minister's Office (PMO) Dr Jatindra Singh said.