MBBS seats in J&K increased from 500 to 1339 in last one decade: Centre

New Delhi, Feb 7: The MBBS seats in Jammu and Kashmir have increased from 500 to 1339 in the last one decade, the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare said on Friday.
Replying to a question by Basavaraj Bomai, the Ministry of State for Health and family Welfare, Anupriya Patil said that in 2014-15, the number of MBBS seats in J&K were 500 while the current number of MBBS seats in J&K are 1339.
The Minister said that as informed by the National Medical Commission (NMC), the Government has increased the number of medical colleges and subsequently increased MBBS seats. There is an increase of medical colleges from 404 in 2014 to 780 as of now.
Further, there is an increase of 63,842 MBBS seats from 54,348 in 2014 to 1,18,190 as of now.
“Some of the measures and steps taken by the Government to strengthen the healthcare system in the country according to minister include that Centrally Sponsored Scheme (CSS) for establishment of new medical colleges by upgrading district/ referral hospital under which 157 new medical colleges have been approved, out of which 131 are already functional, CSS for strengthening/upgradation of existing State Government/ Central Government medical colleges to increase the number of MBBS (UG) and PG seats, under which support has been provided for increase of 4977 MBBS seats in 83 colleges with an approved cost of Rs 5972.20 Cr, 4058 PG seats in phase-1 in 72 colleges with an approved cost of Rs 1498.43 Cr and 4000 PG seats in phase-II in 65 colleges with an approved cost of Rs. 4478.25 Cr.”
“Under “Upgradation of Government medical colleges by construction of Super Specialty Blocks” component of Pradhan Mantri Swasthya Suraksha Yojana (PMSSY), a total of 75 projects have been approved. Under the Central Sector Scheme for setting up of new AlIMS, 22 AIIMS have been approved.”
Undergraduate courses have started in 19 of these, DNB qualification has been recognized for appointment as teaching faculty to take care of shortage of faculty and Enhancement of age limit for appointment/ extension/ re-employment against posts of teachers/dean/principal/ director in medical colleges upto 70 years, the reply reads. (KNO)