Maharashtra: There were reportedly seven new GMCs to be established in the state. However, as implied in a recent media report, 5 new GMCs (out of the 7) are not likely to be established; as there is a fund shortage for setting up these new medical colleges.

Senior state government officials implied that GMC Chandrapur and GMC Gondia are already functional offering 100 UG medical seats. However, the other 5 GMCs proposed in Alibaug, Satara, Nandurbar, Baramati and Mumbai, are likely to be in cold storage.

An official in addition implied that the state government is facing acute fund shortage. There was a fund of Rs 110 crore granted for GMC Baramati, with the building already constructed. However, there is no work started at other GMC sites. GMC Baramati will be functional subject to an approval by the MCI.

GMC Gondia is offering 100 UG medical seats from this academic year itself and GMC Chandrapur started offering 100 seats last academic year.

The proposed Mumbai medical college was to be established at GT and Saint George hospitals in south Mumbai. It is reported that a part of GT hospital was acquired by the state government However, the state government is now looking for an alternative location for the medical college in Borivli.

"We can get 25 acres for the hospital in Borivali. It is, however, tough to say when the college will start," the official said to DNA, noting that there was a need for a new medical college and hospital in Mumbai suburbs.

"There are five government and civic medical colleges in Mumbai but three of them (KEM, Nair and Grant medical) are located in a small part of the city. A major part of the suburbs is uncovered. People from areas such as Mulund have to come to Sion for treatment. BMC's medical college at the Cooper hospital is yet to start functioning at its optimum level," he said.

MD team had earlier reported that the state government in Maharashtra had decided to take the route of private partnership for starting Government Medical Colleges (GMCs) in each district here. A proposal is expected to be submitted by the appointed committee suggesting alternative models in one month’s time. A committee to handle the matter has already been constituted under the Chairmanship of Dr Vedprakash Mishra, Chancellor of Krishna Institute of Medical Sciences; while, Joint Director of Directorate of Medical Education and Research Dr Prakash Wakode will be its member.

Medical Education Minister Vinod Tawde has been directing the matter. The private partnership is expected to give an impetus to the government’s plan to have a GMC in every district. Most of the districts have an existing district hospital, with 100-beds required in each hospital to have an affiliate medical funds secured for the purpose. The appointed committee is now likely to study the financial implications of the public-private concept at hand. Following which, one model will be chosen by the government to establish the new medical college.

The state currently has 48 medical colleges. Out of this, 16 medical colleges run by the state government. Around 6,400 UG and 3,200 PG seats are offered at these colleges.