"Existing district hospitals being converted into medical colleges will continue to get aid from Centre": Union Health Secretary
Jul 10, 2024
New Delhi [India], July 10 : Union Health Secretary Apurva Chandra on Wednesday clarified that the District/Referral hospitals that are being converted into medical colleges will continue to receive funds from the Central government.
The clarification comes amidst demands made by certain states and union territories for the construction of additional district/referral hospitals due to apprehension that the existing hospitals which are being converted into medical colleges will stop receiving funding from the National Health Mission NHM.
The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare in a press release informed that Apurva Chandra has written to states/UTs clarifying that all existing DH/RH that are being converted into medical colleges will continue their roles and obligations under the NHM and will continue to receive funding support from the Center under NHM.
There have been concerted efforts over the last nine years to increase the number of medical colleges. At present, there are 706 medical colleges in the country.
In the last nine years, a total of 319 medical colleges have been added (including private medical colleges), leading to an 82 per cent increase in the establishment of medical colleges, since 2014.
India's medical education network has expanded multifold with more focus and investments towards professional education and quality. The focus has been on reaching the underserved areas and addressing the lack of accessibility, the release further said.
Globally, there has been a constant drive to improve the doctor-population ratio to ensure better access to healthcare services.
A Centrally sponsored scheme called 'Establishment of New Medical Colleges attached with existing District/Referral Hospitals' to provide central funding support for opening new medical colleges by strengthening/upgrading the district hospitals was introduced in 2014.
To date, three phases of the scheme have been implemented, under which 157 colleges have been sanctioned in line with the objectives of increasing medical professionals. As of now, of these 157 medical colleges, 108 have already become functional. Of the 157 colleges approved, 40 are located in the aspirational districts enabling an impetus of investment in these districts.
