SRINAGAR: The number of MBBS seats in Jammu and Kashmir has increased from 500 to 1,339 over the last decade, the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare said on Friday.
In response to a question by Basavaraj Bommai, Anupriya Patel, Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare, said that in 2014-15, Jammu and Kashmir had 500 MBBS seats, while the current number stands at 1,339. The minister further said that, as per the National Medical Commission (NMC), the government has significantly increased the number of medical colleges, leading to a rise in MBBS seats. The number of medical colleges has grown from 404 in 2014 to 780 at present. Additionally, MBBS seats across India have increased from 54,348 in 2014 to 1,18,190, marking an expansion of 63,842 seats.
Highlighting the measures taken by the government to strengthen the healthcare system, the minister mentioned the Centrally Sponsored Scheme (CSS) for establishing new medical colleges by upgrading district/referral hospitals. Under this scheme, 157 new medical colleges have been approved, of which 131 are already functional. Other key initiatives include the CSS for strengthening and upgrading existing State and Central Government medical colleges to increase MBBS and PG seats. Under this scheme, 4,977 MBBS seats have been added in 83 colleges with an approved cost of Rs 5,972.20 crore. Additionally, 4,058 PG seats were introduced in Phase-I across 72 colleges at a cost of Rs 1,498.43 crore, while 4,000 PG seats were added in Phase-II across 65 colleges, with an approved cost of Rs 4,478.25 crore.
The minister further said that under the “Upgradation of Government Medical Colleges by Construction of Super Specialty Blocks” component of Pradhan Mantri Swasthya Suraksha Yojana (PMSSY), 75 projects have been approved. Additionally, under the Central Sector Scheme, 22 new AIIMS have been sanctioned, with undergraduate courses already started in 19 of them.
To address faculty shortages, the government has recognised DNB qualifications for faculty appointments. Furthermore, the age limit for the appointment, extension, or re-employment of teachers, deans, principals, and directors in medical colleges has been enhanced to 70 years. (KNO)
