Azad highlights reforms in health sector

Highlighting several reforms introduced and implemented in the health sector in the last four years, Union Health Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad today said a major initiative has been the launch of the single entrance test for UG and PG medical courses to be held from academic year 2013-14.
The introduction of single entrance test titled National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test was a path-breaking measure as it would save students from hardships in appearing for multiple entrance exams and bring uniformity in the standards of admission to the medical courses, the minister said.
Detailing the reforms, he said the number of MBBS seats was raised by 46 per cent and PG seats by 70 per cent in just over four years.

Besides, 72 new medical colleges, including six new All India Institute of Medical Sciences at Bhopal, Bhubaneshwar, Jodhpur, Patna, Raipur and Rishikesh were established in the period raising the total number to 362 from 290, he said.
Delivering the first convocation address of the Kerala University of Health Sciences at nearby Mulamkunnathukavu, he said the medical colleges attached to the new AIIMS have started functioning, admitting 50 students each since September last.
Dr K Mohandas, Vice Chancellor of the University, said the first batch of students was admitted in the academic year 20l0-11 and there were over 45,000 students now.

He said 239 colleges belonging to all disciplines of Health sciences in Kerala had been affiliated to it and 15,771 seats were available in the disciplines of allopathy, Ayurveda, Homeopathy, Dentistry, Nursing and Pharmacy with 13,537 UG and 2,232 PG seats.
State Minister for Health and Family Welfare and Pro-Chancellor of the University, V S Sivakumr conferred degrees on students.