JP Nadda unveils two government medical colleges in Madhya Pradesh; 4 more in pipeline under PPP mode

Union minister of health and family welfare Jagat Prakash Nadda has inaugurated new government medical colleges in Sheopur and Singrauli, Madhya Pradesh. The establishment of the colleges will help in boosting opportunities for medical education and healthcare delivery in underserved regions, as per the official press release.

Besides the ribbon ceremony to launch two colleges, bonds were also signed for the establishment of four new medical colleges under the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) mode with the support of the Union Health Ministry, the official statement by the ministry said.

“Every year, nearly 2 crore children and 2.5 crore pregnant women are monitored under our healthcare system. I salute our dedicated ASHA workers, whose tireless efforts have ensured that healthcare truly reaches the last mile. Today, institutional deliveries have risen to 89%, a remarkable achievement in ensuring safe motherhood”, Nadda said.

The two government medical colleges at Sheopur and Singrauli were established under phase 3 of the Centrally Sponsored Scheme (CSS) for ‘establishment of new medical colleges attached with district hospitals in the academic year 2019-20 with an approved cost of Rs 325 crore each.

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75,000 more UG, PG seats in next five years, says Nadda

Expressing the need of more medical colleges across the country, the health minister said that in 2014, there were only 378 medical colleges in the country. Today, the number has increased to 780. "Likewise, the number of undergraduate (UG) medical seats has grown from 56,000 to 1,70,000. Looking ahead, our goal is to add another 75,000 UG and PG seats over the next five years. Also, out-of-pocket expenditure on healthcare has significantly reduced — from 62% earlier to 39% now”, he added.

The inclusion of four new medical colleges will expand opportunities for medical education and service delivery in the state. The minister also launched a series of centrally sponsored health programmes, aimed at powering public health and community outreach in MP.

While speaking at the launch event, Nadda said that the government's vision is to expand access to quality medical education and healthcare services, while ensuring that citizens across the country benefit from modern facilities, preventive health initiatives.

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MP to have 26 medical colleges in coming years: CM Mohan Yadav

“These initiatives mark a significant step towards expanding medical education, strengthening preventive healthcare, empowering frontline health workers, and improving maternal and child health outcomes in Madhya Pradesh,” the official statement reads.

Further, praising Madhya Pradesh as a strong performer in the health sector, the minister said that the state has 17 government medical colleges and 13 private institutions.

Others present during the launching ceremony include Mohan Yadav, chief minister, Madhya Pradesh; Rajendra Shukla, deputy chief minister, public health and medical education department, MP and Hemant Khandelwal, MLA, Betul, MP.

CM Mohan Yadav said: “Before 2003, there were only 5 medical colleges in the state. Today the number has grown to 17 government medical colleges and 13 private medical colleges. AIIMS Bhopal was also recently established in the state. Now, with the recent approval letters for 2 more medical colleges, the total number of government medical colleges has reached 19. We are confident and hopeful that this number will rise to 26 in the coming years.”