New Delhi: In a written response to Lok Sabha, Union health minister Mansukh Mandaviya said a significant increase in the number of post-graduate (PG) medical seats in the country, witnessing a remarkable 117% rise from 31,185 before 2014 to 67,802 at present.

Mandaviya said, "The government has taken significant steps in increasing the number of medical colleges and MBBS seats. We have seen an 82% rise in the number of medical colleges, from 387 before 2014 to 704 currently. Moreover, the MBBS seats have seen a substantial increase of 110%, rising from 51,348 before 2014 to 1,07,948 now," during his address in the Parliament.

Addressing the disparities in access to medical education, the health ministry administers a centrally sponsored scheme, with a focus on underserved areas and aspirational districts where government or private medical colleges are not available. The scheme involves fund-sharing between the Centre and state governments in the ratio of 90:10 for northeastern and special category states, and 60:40 for other states.

India's medical education and colleges are regulated by the National Medical Commission Act, 2019, which aims to improve access to quality and affordable medical education and ensure the availability of highly qualified medical professionals across the nation.

To bolster the number of MBBS (both UG and PG) seats, the Central Sponsored Scheme (CSS) supports the strengthening and upgrading of existing state government or Centre-run medical colleges. In total, 4,677 MBBS seats in 77 colleges have been added with an approved cost of Rs 5,612.25 crore, along with 4,058 PG seats in 72 colleges with an approved cost of Rs 1,498.43 crore in the first phase. Additionally, the second phase includes 3,957 PG seats in 62 colleges with an approved cost of Rs 4,461.44 crore.

Minister Mandaviya revealed that a total of 75 projects have been approved under the "upgradation of government medical colleges by construction of super-specialty blocks" scheme of the Pradhan Mantri Swasthya Suraksha Yojana (PMSSY). Among these projects, 62 are already completed. Furthermore, as part of the CSS, 22 new all India Institutes of Medical Sciences have received approval for establishment.

Overall, these initiatives aim to revamp medical education in India, ensuring a well-rounded and accessible healthcare system across the nation.

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