Jammu and Kashmir: Five new medical colleges await funds from the Centre

J&K: The process for setting up five new medical colleges in the state is reported to be completed now. As a step forward, funds to be released are awaited from the Centre.

Earlier in 2014, these five new medical colleges were officially sanctioned by the former Union Health Minister. In order to improve the health care services in the state, it was earlier proposed to increase medical seats by 500 (100 in each medical college). Land for each college site has been identified now.

Out of these five colleges, two are to be established in Anantnag and Baramulla district of Kashmir. Rest of the three colleges would be set up in Rajouri, Kathua and Doda districts of Jammu.

Secretary, Health and Medical Education, M K Bandari told The Kashmir Monitor that state government in the recently held Empowered Committee Meeting in New Delhi has submitted the detailed progress report of the project.

“The recent Empowered Committee Meeting in which around 16 different states of India participated showed positive response on the work done by the Health and Medical Education department. We during the meeting had given detailed presentation regarding different parameters of the project and other related aspects,” he said.

However, as implied by Bandari the total cost of the project is yet to be worked out. It is likely to be determined in the upcoming Empowered Committee meeting next week. In addition, once the funds are released by the Centre, hopefully by the beginning of new financial year, the construction work on the medical colleges will start.