- Each medical college to have 100 MBBS seats each
- Approvals granted to Kamareddy, Khammam, and Asifabad medical colleges recently
- MBBS seats increased by 240% to 7090 seats, PG seats by 111% to 2548 after formation of Telangana
IndiGlobal Bureau
Under the leadership of Chief Minister K Chandra Shekar Rao, Telangana is rapidly emerging as a hub for quality medical education, stressed Health Minister Harish Rao on Tuesday. The state has achieved significant growth in the field of medicine and medical education, with the establishment of eight medical colleges in the past year. This year, nine more medical colleges will commence classes with 100 MBBS seats each, he said, adding that approvals were granted to Kamareddy, Khammam, and Kumaram Bhim Asifabad medical colleges recently.
Harish Rao held a monthly review through video conference which was also attended by Health Secretary S.A.M Rizvi, Director of Medical Education Ramesh Reddy, Director of Public Health G Srinivasa Rao, Telangana Vaidya Vidhana Parishad Commissioner Ajay Kumar, Superintendents, and Principals of all district hospitals.
Harish made a mention of the government’s efforts to strengthen the medical sector, citing the increase in MBBS and PG seats as proof of the state’s commitment to improving healthcare services. In 2014-15, Telangana had 2950 MBBS seats and 1183 PG seats. Today, the number of MBBS seats has increased by 240% to 7090, and the number of PG seats has increased by 111% to 2548.
The state government’s priority is to ensure access to high quality medical services for all. Telangana is committed to recruiting more assistant professors, completing the promotion process for associate professors, and providing 65 new professor promotions. The government also aims to fill 1442 assistant professor posts soon, the minister pointed out.
In addition to increasing the number of medical colleges, Telangana is also working to enhance the quality of medical education. Minister Harish Rao has stressed the importance of maintaining discipline in medical colleges and ensuring that students are mentally prepared to enter the healthcare profession. To provide specialty services in rural areas, the government has allocated 800 Senior Residents to medical colleges in the districts and Vaidya Vidhana Parishad main hospitals. Superintendents are responsible for ensuring that medical colleges are operating in compliance with NMC norms and that all medical equipment is in working order.
The state government is also committed to encouraging organ donation and saving the lives of others. Efforts are being made towards brain-dead declaration, and a PMU for equipment maintenance has been established to ensure that all medical devices worth more than five lakh rupees are in working order. The government has also decided to provide free medicines to discharged patients and has formed a board to inform patients of this initiative.
The Telangana government is dedicated to providing high-quality healthcare services to all its citizens, and the establishment of more medical colleges is a step in the right direction. With the recruitment of more faculty members, the government aims to enhance the quality of medical education and instill enthusiasm in future healthcare professionals, Harish said.