Ministry of Health & Family Welfare’s Centrally Sponsored Scheme Boosting Medical Education in Underserved Areas

Ministry of Health & Family Welfare’s Centrally Sponsored Scheme Boosting Medical Education in Underserved Areas

134. SHRI M. BADRUDDIN AJMAL:

Will the Minister of HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE be pleased to state:

(a) the details of the number of new medical colleges set up in the country including Assam during the last five years and the current year;

(b) the initiatives taken/proposed to be taken by the Government to increase the number of medical colleges for producing the number of qualified doctors and para-medical staff as per the requirement of the population in the country;

(c) whether the Government is aware that medical education is relatively expensive in India as compared to other progressive countries; and

(d) if so, the steps taken/proposed to be taken by the Government to make it affordable for every deserving and talented aspirant irrespective of their financial background?

(a) to (d) A Statement is laid on the Table of the House.

 

STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. 134 FOR 28TH JULY, 2023

(a) to (d): The Ministry of Health & Family Welfare administers a Centrally Sponsored Scheme (CSS) for ‘Establishment of new medical colleges attached with existing district/referral hospitals’ with preference to underserved areas and aspirational districts, where there is no existing Government or private medical college with fund sharing between the Centre and State Governments in the ratio of 90:10 for North Eastern and Special Category States and 60:40 for others. Under the Scheme, a total of 157 Government medical colleges have been approved in three phases, including 05 medical colleges in Assam. During the last five years, 101 medical colleges have been approved under the Scheme, including 01 medical college in Assam.

The Government has increased number of medical colleges and subsequently increased MBBS seats. There is an increase of 82% in medical colleges from 387 before 2014 to 704 as of now. Further, there is an increase of 110% in MBBS seats from 51,348 before 2014 to 1,07,948 as of now, there is also an increase of 117% in PG seats from 31,185 before 2014 to 67,802 as of now. Some of the measures/steps taken by the Government to augment the medical education facilities and to improve the medical standards in the country include: –

• CSS for establishment of new medical colleges by upgrading district/ referral hospital under which 157 new medical colleges have been approved, out of which 107 are already functional.
• CSS for strengthening/ upgradation of existing State Government/ Central Government medical colleges to increase the number of MBBS (UG) and PG seats, under which support has been provided for increase of 4677 MBBS seats in 77 colleges with an approved cost of Rs. 5612.25 Cr, 4058 PG seats in phase-I in 72 colleges with an approved cost of Rs. 1498.43 cr and 3957 PG seats in phase-II in 62 colleges with an approved cost of Rs. 4461.44 Cr.
• Under “Upgradation of Government medical colleges by construction of Super Specialty  Blocks”  of  PMSSY  scheme,  a  total  of  75  projects  have  been approved, of which 62 projects are complete.
• Under the Central Sector Scheme for setting up of new AIIMS, 22 AIIMS have been approved. Undergraduate courses have started in 19 of these.

National Medical Commission Act, 2019 provides for a medical education system that improves access to quality and affordable medical education and ensures availability of adequate and high quality medical professionals in all parts of the country. NMC has taken following steps to improve quality & affordability of medical education:

• The qualification awarded by the Diplomate of National Board (DNB) through National Board of Examinations (NBE) has been recognized for appointment as faculty to take care of shortage of faculty.
• Enhancement of age limit for appointment/ extension / re-employment against post of teachers / Dean / Principal/ Director in medical colleges upto 70 years.
• The ratio of teachers to students has been rationalized to increase the number of postgraduate medical seats in the country.
• Relaxation  of  norms  for  setting  up  of  medical  college  in  teams  of requirements of faculty staff, bed strength & other infrastructure.

NMC Act, 2019 also provides for framing of guidelines for determination of fees and all other charges in respect of fifty percent (50%) of seats in private medical institutions and deemed to be universities which are governed under the provisions of the Act. Accordingly, National Medical Commission (NMC) has framed the guidelines and the same were issued on 03.02.2022.

*****