58 districts will have new medical colleges set up, leading to 5,800 fresh MBBS seats in India. This was the statement made to the Parliamnet by Health Minister JP Nadda.

These colleges would be established under the centrally sponsored scheme for ‘Establishment of Medical Colleges attached with existing District/Referral hospitals.’ “In the first phase, total 58 districts have been identified. This initiative would result in increase of 5,800 MBBS seats in the country,” Nadda added.

Criteria to identify districts in need

The districts were identified based on these criteria:

1. District or referral hospitals with a bed strength of 200 or more.

2. Districts with no medical college.

3. Preference for under served districts.

JP Nadda also said that the Government Medical College at Jaipur would be upgraded under Phase -IV of the Pradhan Mantri Swasthya Suraksha Yojana. He also stated that setting up of super speciality blocks depended entirely on approvals of EFC and CCEA.

He also said that the timeline for establishing super speciality blocks depends upon the receipt of various due approvals of EFC and Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA).

Infographics: Daily Rounds

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