Health Ministry releases statistics on Medical colleges, increase in MBBS, PG medical seats in India, Check out details

New Delhi: Since 2014, India has witnessed an increase of 67% in the establishment of medical colleges along with around 96% increase in the number of Government Medical Colleges and 42% increase in the private sector, the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare recently stated in its booklet titled Governance Reforms in Medical Education (2014-2022).

As per the data shared by Union Health Ministry, as opposed to altogether 387 medical colleges back in 2014, currently India has a total number of 648 medical colleges with the addition of 261 medical colleges. 

This has resulted in a whooping 87% increase in the UG (MBBS) medical seats and the Postgraduate medical seats have also increased by 105% since 2014, claimed the Ministry.

Releasing a booklet titled Governance Reforms in Medical Education (2014-2022), the Ministry has addressed several issues including Reforms in medical education along with the development and implementation of new rules and regulations after the Narendra Modi Government came to power back in 2014.

As per the data shared by the Union Health Ministry, India had altogether 387 medical colleges back in 2014. Referring to the situation back in 2014, the Health Ministry added, "...the system was riddled with far too many problems. The overarching regulatory body of the medical colleges, the Medical Council of India (MCI) had become 'a high entry barrier'. This had led to paucity in the number of medical colleges and number of seats, both at the undergraduate and the postgraduate levels, across the country. This was compounded by structural and functional challenges faced by the regulator while making decisions regarding medical education. Other factors included disconnect between education and health service delivery, high cost of education, underutilization of existing resources, and multiplicity of entrance examinations for medical seats, among others."

On the other hand, the Ministry pointed out how the medical education sector in India developed over the years since 2014, the constitution of National Medical Commission (NMC) which replaced the erstwhile MCI, the reforms in National Board of Examinations (NBE) and other reforms regarding the previous rules and regulations.

Better Availability of doctors and Increase of Medical Seats (UG & PG):

Referring to the global tendency for improving the doctor population ratio to ensure better healthcare services, the Ministry informed in the booklet that as of the year 2021, there are a total number of 13.01 lakh registered allopathic doctors (estimated active stock of 10.41 lakh- 80%) and 5.65 lakh AYUSH doctors (total active 15.80 lakh doctors) leading to a combined doctor population ratio of 1:834. Ministry mentioned it to be "better than the OECD region average of 1 per 1000."

The Health Ministry further pointed out how there have been concerted efforts over the last seven years for increasing the number of medical colleges. As per the Ministry data, currently, India has 648 medical colleges. Among these 355 are Government medical colleges and 293 are run by Private management.

Claiming that there has been a huge increase regarding the number of medical seats, the Ministry added, "In the last eight years, a total addition of 261 medical colleges has been added, leading to a 67 % increase in the establishment of medical colleges with a whopping 96% increase in the number of Government Medical Colleges (GMC) alone and a 42% increase in the private sector, since 2014."

In this regard, the Ministry also mentioned how a Centrally Sponsored Scheme had been introduced back in 2014 for providing central funding support for the purpose of opening new medical colleges. 

"Three phases of the Scheme have been approved to date under which 157 colleges have been sanctioned to reduce the urban/rural divide and address the regional imbalances. As of now, of these 157 medical colleges 93 have already become functional and 60 are expected to be functional in the next two years," clarified the Ministry.

As a result of these initiatives, along with the opening new medical colleges, both the Undergraduate and Postgraduate medical seats increased by huge numbers in India. According to Ministry data, the number of MBBS seats has increased from 51, 348 to 96,077 and similarly the PG medical seats have increased from 31,185 to 63,842 since 2014.

Referring to this, the Ministry mentioned in the booklet, "With the increase in the number of colleges, a corresponding increase has also been recorded in the number of UG and PG seats over the years. In the last seven years, major investments have been made towards increasing the medical seats of which, a 87% increase has been recorded in UG (MBBS) seats with a total seat capacity of 96,077 to date. Similarly, a 105% increase has been recorded for PG seats since 2014, accounting for a total of 63,842 PG seats to date across the country."

The Ministry also mentioned about its vision of creating 10000 MBBS seats in the Government Medical Colleges (GMC) alone. According to Ministry data, already 58 colleges across 16 States have been approved with an increase of 3877 MBBS seats. Similarly, for increasing the PG medical seats, in the Phase I, Ministry has approved 72 medical colleges in 21 States/ UTs with an increase of 4058 PG seats. To create 4000 PG seats in the GMCs, in phase-II, a total of 47 colleges have been approved with an increase of 2975 PG seats, claimed the Ministry data.

"With greater investments in expanding GMCs, this Government has taken giant strides to ensure affordable professional education accessible to a larger population," the Ministry claimed in the booklet.

Pradhan Mantri Swasthya Suraksha Yojana (PMSSY):

The Ministry also referred to Pradhan Mantri Swasthya Suraksha Yojana (PMSSY) that aims to establish AIIMS like institutes and acts in the process of upgradation of the existing GMCs in a phased manner. According to the booklet data, 22 new AIIMS and projects for the up-gradation of 75 Government medical colleges were taken up under the scheme. MBBS (UG) classes have been started in 19 of the 22 new AIIMS adding 2037 MBBS seats so far.

National Medical Commission (NMC) Reforms to Increase Medical Seats:

National Medical Commission (NMC) replaced the erstwhile Medical Commission of India (MCI) and the NMC Act consequently came into force o 25th September, 2020. Four independent and autonomous board of NMC have been contributing in the reformation of Medical Education, claimed the Ministry data. 

"It is envisaged that NMC will make medical education in India quality-oriented, competency-based, equitable, affordable and at par with the best in the world," added the ministry.

Describing the role of NMC to increase the number of medical colleges, the Ministry added in the booklet how the Apex medical commission has relaxed the norms of setting up medical colleges in India. NMC has streamlines the entire regulations on Minimum Standards Requirement (MSR) for the establishment of medical colleges. NMC has changed the previous rule that required the medical colleges and its affiliated teaching hospitals to have 20 acres of land in case of general areas and 10 acres for metropolitan areas. However, these requirements have now been removed and therefore it has become easier to open medical colleges.

Apart from this, NMC has also reduced and rationalized the space required for the Library and other number of books and journals. besides, student counselling services have been mandated, recognizing the increasing stress observed amongst medical students and residents in recent times, added the Ministry.

NMC has also taken several steps to increase the PG seat capacity. As per the Ministry data, NMC amended the rules and rationalized the minimum requirements including the teacher-student ratio that facilitates the establishment of new medical colleges and enables a subsequent increase in PG seats. 

Apart from this, National Board of Examinations (NBE) has also witnessed several reforms to increase the DNB courses and seats. Further, the State Governments have been encouraged to take up DNB courses and the municipal corporations to initiate PG courses, added the Ministry.

Referring to the role of NBEMS, the Ministry added that the Natboard has taken up several reforms including creation of advanced Skill/Virtual learning centres, short term skill enhancement courses, accreditation reforms, and mentorship programs for students. 

"The NBEMS has so far accredited 1209 hospitals with 12,648 seats, of which 65% are in the private sector. There has been a massive increase in Postgraduate seats brought about by the NBE over the last few years by rationalizing the accreditation criteria," claimed the Ministry.

"The positive impact of taking medical education to smaller cities and towns is expected to lead to better retention of doctors in rural and underserved areas. The efforts will make a vital contribution in achieving the goal of providing equitable health care and accessibility," Ministry mentioned in the booklet.

Apart from the NMC Act, the booklet also mentioned about the National Allied and Healthcare Professions Act 2021. This Act shall enable the constitution of a National Commission and the State Councils to regulate 56 diverse allied and healthcare professions.

"All these reforms in medical education will have a long term impact on primary, secondary and tertiary care in India," claimed the Ministry.

To view the booklet, click on the link below:

https://medicaldialogues.in/pdf_upload/education-booklet-191670.pdf

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