Intake in Govt medical colleges to go up to 250

The intake in MBBS course would be increased to 250 in all government medical colleges across the country as part of the efforts to meet the manpower crunch in the health sector. The decision to this effect was taken at the meeting of the state health ministers and secretaries of health and medical education that concluded in here on Thursday.

It also decided to take up the matter regarding the proposed common eligibility and entrance test for a broader discussion of the concerns of the states.

The state governments would strengthen and upgrade the Government medical colleges to increase the intake for post-graduate courses. The Government of India (GoI) would help the state governments in upgrading the colleges.

Also, the 150 schools sanctioned by the GoI for auxillary nursing and midwifery and general nursing and midwifery would be made operational by March 2012, apart from taking steps to set up eight regional institutes of paramedical sciences.

The GoI would also help the state governments in strengthening the pharmacy institutions and training the practicing pharmacists.

The meeting further resolved that GoI should assist in setting up new medical colleges in unserved and underserved areas. It further asked the GoI to lend financial support for introducing Bachelor of Rural Health Care courses particularly in the high-focus states for the year 2011-12.

The three-day national meet also discussed regulatory issues, vector borne diseases, tuberculosis, reproductive and child health, non-communicable diseases, mental health and blindness among others.

The central and state governments would draw a plan of action for creation of new posts, filling up the vacant posts particularly of drug inspectors and upgrade drug testing laboratories. A campaign will be launched for enforcement of provision of Drugs and Cosmetics Act relating to spurious drugs.

The states will designate special courts for speedy trial of drug-related offences. A plan would be prepared to promote the use of generic drugs to make healthcare affordable.