209 new medical colleges set up in last 7 years, MBBS seats increased by 75 percent: PM Modi

New Delhi: Prior to 2014, on an average 50 medical colleges used to be set up in 10 years and in the last 7-8 years, 209 new medical colleges have been set up, which is four times more, Prime Minister Narendra Modi recently stated.

He further said that in the last 7-8 years, the number of undergraduate medical, MBBS seats has increased by 75 per cent and the number of annual total medical seats has almost doubled.

Medical Dialogues had earlier reported that as of 2022, there are a total 596 medical colleges in India with an intake capacity for 89,875 MBBS seats, informed the Minister of State, Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Dr. Bharati Pravin Pawar. Among these 596 medical institutes, 313 medical colleges with 46,560 MBBS seats are run by the Government and 283 medical institutes with 43,315 MBBS seats are run by private management.

The Health Ministry further informed that under the Centrally Sponsored Scheme (CSS) for 'Establishment of new Medical Colleges attached with existing district/referral hospitals', 157 new medical colleges have been approved in three phases and 71 are already functional. Among these 157 approved medical institutes, 40 medical colleges are in aspirational districts.

Speaking at the first Arun Jaitley Memorial lecture, the prime minister said that real growth was not possible without inclusiveness as he recalled various initiatives taken by his government during the last eight years and that the government was treating the private sector as a partner in growth, reports PTI. Modi also paid tribute to the former finance minister and senior BJP leader Arun Jaitley.

India is not undertaking reforms under compulsion, but carrying "reforms by conviction" to prepare a roadmap for the next 25 years. Reforms are a win-win choice, he added.

Further, Modi said India's recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic is reflective of choosing a people-centric policy adopted by the government and not taking measures based on populist impulse.

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