Gujarat to Soon Get 9 New Brownfield Medical Colleges Under PPP Model
Gujarat- Senior officials of the Gujarat health department have recently confirmed that nine brownfield medical colleges will soon become a reality under the public-private partnership (PPP) model.
The nine brownfield medical colleges that are expected to come up in Veraval in Gir Somnath, Botad, Jam Khambhalia in Devbhoomi Dwarka, Nadiad in Kheda, Ahwa in Dang, Lunawada in Mahisagar, Chhota Udepur, Anand and Modasa in Aravalli.
According to a TOI media news report, sources said that the final approval of the state government is awaited to take forward the existing brownfield policy, which was in place till March this year. Apart from this, the health department has identified eligible hospitals and potential partners.
The new brownfield medical colleges in the state were announced by state health minister Rushikesh Patel in October 2024. Brownfield projects involve remodelling and upgrading existing facilities, while greenfield projects involve fresh construction and development. The state policy aims to provide quality treatment to the local population and medical education to the youth of the state.
Besides this, the state health minister earlier listed out several conditions based on which brownfield medical colleges will be allowed. The hospitals will have to provide free treatment to pregnant women for 20 days after delivery and children up to one year, set up a NICU and a 10-bed unit for dialysis service and provide free treatment for all conditions except heart, brain, cancer and organ transplant.
Currently, brownfield medical colleges operate in Dahod, Bharuch, Amreli, Banaskantha and Tapi districts. Apart from this, Gujarat has a total of 23 government medical colleges (including colleges run by Gujarat Medical Education and Research Society (GMERS)), 18 private and one deemed university medical college. These colleges have a total of 7,400 MBBS seats. However, the brownfield medical college policy was first implemented in 2017 and was later revised in 2022.
Meanwhile, Director (Medical Education) Dr R N Dixit said hospitals and partners have been identified for new brownfield medical college projects and the process of collaboration would be expedited once the revised policy comes into effect.
