Expand 75,000 medical seats by 2029: Health Minister Nadda urges NMC

New Delhi: Commending the National Medical Commission (NMC) for adding 25,000 MBBS and PG medical seats during the last four years, the Union Health Minister JP Nadda has urged the apex medical commission to expand 75,000 medical seats by 2029.

"Union Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare, Shri JP Nadda, addressed the 4th year anniversary ceremony of the National Medical Commission, here today. Speaking on the occasion, Shri JP Nadda congratulated NMC on its fourth anniversary and commended it for adding 25,000 UG and PG seats during the last four years," as per a Ministry of Health and Family Welfare's press release.

The Health Minister made this statement while addressing the 4th-anniversary ceremony of the National Medical Commission, reports ANI

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He also noted that NMC achieved its target of 1,00,000 MBBS seats in the country a year in advance. He further encouraged NMC to achieve the target set by the Hon'ble Prime Minister of India, Narendra Modi, of adding 75,000 medical seats over the next 5 years to meet the growing demand of aspiring medical professionals, as per the release.

"Lauding recent technological methodologies adopted by NMC such as in assessing medical colleges through AI and introduction of Aadhar-enabled biometric attendance (AEBAS) for faculty, Nadda motivated NMC to continue its efforts to improve and enhance the quality of medical education in the country," the release red.

He also highlighted the initiation of the National Medical Register (NMR), calling it "a dynamic database for all allopathic doctors which has already received about 20,000 applications".

The Union Health Minister spoke about the recent efforts to serve public health, especially the Family Adoption Program that will prepare MBBS students to become more humane and skillful clinicians. He also pointed out the shift in mindset to preventive healthcare and wellness.

"On the occasion, the Union Health Minister released an essay compilation book - 'Making of a Family Physician: Reaching the Roots' of selected 89 essays, a Collage book- 'Art of Making of a Family Physician: Reaching the Roots' of selected 67 collages and a First Survey report on medical camps conducted by colleges under Family Adoption Program through village outreach. The survey has been carried out by 2nd year MBBS students in 2022 from 496 colleges from 28 states/ Union Territories participated," as per the release.

The Union Minister also felicitated the students who wrote the best essays and made the best collages. He concluded his address by congratulating the new students who took admission in MBBS courses around the country.

Hekali Zhimomi, Additional Secretary, Union Health Ministry; Dr BN Gangadhar, Chairperson, NMC; Dr Aruna V Vanikar (Undergraduate Medical Education Board) and Dr Vijay Oza (Postgraduate Medical Education Board), Presidents, NMC and senior officials of the Union Health Ministry were present on the occasion.

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