Health Ministry enumerates 58 Districts for converting Hospitals to Medical Colleges, details

The Phase – II of the Scheme for the establishment of 24 new medical colleges has been approved by Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs in its meeting held on 7^th February, 2018. The objective of the Phase – II of the scheme is for ensuring the availability of one medical college in every 3 Parliamentary Constituencies and one Government medical college in each State.

Three districts in Bihar namely Purnia, Saran (Chhapara) and Samastipur were identified under Phase – I of the above scheme to establish new medical colleges. The medical colleges at Purina, Saran (Chhapara) have been approved. However, DPR for Samastipur was not approved as the existing District Hospital land area does not fulfil the minimum land area requirement prescribed under IMC Act, 1956 for the establishment of a new medical college.

 

However, In Chhattisgarh State, two Districts namely, Sarguja and Rajnandgaon have been approved for establishing new medical colleges by upgradation of existing district hospital which are already operational. Furthermore, Public health being a State subject, the responsibility to operationalize New hospitals and maternity centres too lies in the jurisdiction of the respective State Government, added the minister.