Government nod to 58 new medical colleges

The government Thursday cleared a proposal to set up 58 new medical colleges in states with central assistance as well as upgradation of district hospitals.

This will lead to the creation of 5,800 more MBBS seats. Currently there are around 50,000 MBBS seats across the country.

The approval was given by the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs at a meeting held here.

Finance Minister P. Chidambaram told reporters the approval was given for establishing 58 new medical colleges by upgrading existing district hospitals in deficient states with an intake capacity of 100 MBBS seats in each medical college.

While the funding pattern of states will be 75:25 under the scheme, it will be 90:10 by central and state governments respectively for northeastern states and special category states.

The total cost of establishment of one medical college is about Rs.189 crore.

The step is also aimed at providing more doctors and increasing the doctor-patient ratio which is currently low.

At present, there are a total of 381 medical colleges in the country with 49,918 MBBS seats registered with the Medical Council of India, the apex medical regulator.