Karnataka: State policy of one GMC per each revenue district under progress

Karnataka: The state government's policy to have one GMC per each revenue district is currently under progress. So far, medical colleges have been set up in 16 districts. It intends to put its complete plan into implementation, basis its assessment of basic infrastructure and funds available in the coming academic year.

Sharanprakash R Patil, minister for medical education has confirmed this news after he said to

TOI that it plans to set up medical colleges in districts yet to have one based on availability of basic infrastructure and funds during forthcoming academic year.

In addition, the minister also implied that currently the state has GMCs in Bengaluru, Mysuru, Hubballi, Ballari, Mandya, Hassan, Shivamogga, Raichur, Belagavi, Bidar, Kalaburagi, Gadag, Koppal, Kodagu, Karwar and Chamarajanagar. Besides, GMCs in Tumakuru Chitradurga, Bagalkote, Haveri, Yadagir and Chikkaballapur have received sanctions in 2014-15.

The state government is expected to examine setting up of new GMCs in more districts in the coming academic year. Based on which, the setting up of GMC in Dakshina Kannada will also be examined. The minister in addition implied that students are currently under training at GMCs- after the statutory clearance from MCI has been received.

The minister also clarified that there are no instances from any private medical college functioning in Dakshina Kannada district refusing to hold camps in government hospitals in rural areas as directed by the medical education department. Admitting there is a shortage of medical officers in government health set up across Karnataka, the minister said specialists from both government and private medical colleges are filling the lacunae by serving on call basis.

Earlier in March of this year, the state Chief Minister Siddaramaiah had announced that medical seats in government-run medical colleges will be increased from the present 100 seats to 150. Medical colleges in Mandya, Hassan, Shivamogga, Belagavi, Raichur and Bidar will be a part of this initiative. This announcement was made during the state budget being announced by the Chief Minister recently.

This decision will benefit many undergraduate medical course aspirants in the state. In his statement the minister further implied that the Bowring and Lady Curzon Hospital, Bengaluru, which also comes under the Bangalore Medical College will now have an intake of 150 students. New medical colleges will be set up at Karwar, Chamrajnagar and Madikeri.

Adding further to the government medical seat tally, there are plans to increase intake for MBBS courses from 100 to 150 each in the medical colleges in Mandya, Hassan, Shivamogga, Belagavi, Raichur and Bidar.