Health Bulletin 06/August/2026 - Video

Private Medical Colleges Hold 54% of 1.36 Lakh MBBS Seats: NMC Data

Private medical colleges now account for the majority of MBBS seats in India, according to the National Medical Commission's (NMC) 2026-27 seat matrix. Of the 1,36,939 MBBS seats available across 823 medical colleges, 73,643 seats (54%) are in private institutions, while 63,296 seats (46%) are in government colleges. This marks the first time private colleges have overtaken government institutions in undergraduate medical education. Of the 9,911 new MBBS seats added this year, 7,800 (79%) have been created in private colleges and only 2,111 (21%) in government colleges, highlighting the growing role of the private sector in medical education.

Despite the expansion in MBBS seats, experts have raised concerns about affordability. Government medical colleges generally charge ₹5,000 to ₹1 lakh annually, whereas private colleges charge ₹3-12 lakh per year for government quota seats and up to ₹30 lakh annually for management quota seats. The total cost of an MBBS degree in private institutions can exceed ₹1.5 crore. India has increased MBBS seats from 51,348 in 2014-15 to 1,36,939 in 2026-27, but the rapid growth of private colleges has shifted the balance of medical education, according to The Hindu report.

Karnataka to Launch India's First Women's Health Policy to Prioritise Menopause

Karnataka is preparing to introduce what is expected to be India's first dedicated Women's Health Policy, with the initial phase focusing on menopause and perimenopause. Announcing the initiative, State Health Minister UT Khader said that while India has general health policies, no state or the Centre has a separate policy specifically addressing women's health. He noted that women's health issues have traditionally received less attention within broader healthcare programmes and said the new policy aims to bridge this gap. The first programme under the policy, Ruthuthaare, will focus on improving awareness, early identification and support for women experiencing the menopausal transition, reports TOI.

The Karnataka government plans to strengthen awareness and healthcare support through the Ruthuthaare initiative, recognising menopause as an important but often neglected health issue. Kannada actress and former MP Ramya, who has been appointed as the brand ambassador, said menopause remains poorly understood even among urban women, making awareness campaigns in rural areas even more important. The initiative aims to encourage timely recognition of menopausal symptoms, improve access to healthcare and promote informed discussions about women's health, laying the foundation for a more comprehensive policy in the future.

Centre Launches Emergency Response in Gujarat, Rajasthan Amid Chandipura Virus Outbreak

The Union Health Ministry has deployed a National Joint Outbreak Response Team (NJORT) to Gujarat and Rajasthan as Chandipura Virus Disease (CHPV) continues to spread, with Gujarat reporting 35 laboratory-confirmed cases and 22 child deaths this monsoon season. Seven children are currently undergoing treatment, according to the state government. The multidisciplinary team, comprising experts from the National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) and the Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying (DAHD), is leading an extensive scientific investigation. Continuous surveillance under the Integrated Disease Surveillance Programme (IDSP) and activation of the NCDC's Public Health Emergency Operations Centre are supporting outbreak control efforts.

The investigation aims to understand the virus's transmission, clinical features and possible treatment strategies. While sandflies are the known carriers of CHPV, researchers are also examining whether mosquitoes, ticks and mites may contribute to its spread. Health officials have urged caution, stating that no conclusions about the current outbreak's transmission cycle should be drawn until laboratory investigations are complete. The ministry stressed that early containment through surveillance, vector control and public awareness is essential to prevent further child deaths, reduce community transmission and support ongoing scientific research into the disease, according to an NDTV report.