The realm of medical education in India is experiencing a significant evolution following the green light signal from the National Medical Commission (NMC) for establishing 112 new medical colleges across the nation. This major decision is anticipated to drive the total count of medical colleges to exceed 800. As per data, this will be a remarkable doubling of institutions since the academic year 2013-14. Among the newly approved colleges, Uttar Pradesh leads with 22 colleges, with notable emphasis on linking some medical colleges to local district hospitals. Additionally, the approval of one medical college in Najafgarh, Delhi, marks a significant development in enhancing medical education accessibility in the national capital.
Alongside this notable expansion, there has been an exponential increase in the number of undergraduate MBBS seats, which has witnessed a nearly 110 per cent increase. As per data, the UG medical seats have increased from 51,348 to an impressive 1,08,990 count, starting from the academic year 2013-14 to the academic year 2023-24. Similarly, the number of postgraduate seats substantially increased by nearly 118 per cent, from 31,185 to 68,073 during the same period as UG seats.
A recent parliamentary committee chaired by MP Bhubaneshwar Kalita said it is important to have a comprehensive framework to mitigate bureaucratic hurdles and foster efficient partnerships between private medical colleges and district hospitals. Such collaborations provide ample clinical material for MBBS students and reduce private colleges’ setup, variable, and operational costs, which ultimately rationalises the expenses linked with medical education. Furthermore, to mitigate costs in private colleges, the committee also proposed government subsidies for equipment for setting up often imported and expensive sophisticated skill labs. Through this, the committee aims to focus on enhancing the quality of medical education while ensuring affordability and accessibility.
Whether centrally or state-funded, the average MBBS course fee across government colleges in India can amount to Rs 50,000 per annum. However, this subsidised medical education is accessible only to a selected few students who excel in the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET-UG) examination. For this, it is important to have a holistic approach to address the financial barriers that stop aspiring medical students from pursuing their MBBS aspirations. If the Government allows subsidising medical education and supporting initiatives, then operational costs in private colleges will be reduced.
The approval of 112 new medical colleges by NMC and the commendable increase in MBBS and postgraduate seats show a significant increase in tackling the enduring challenges faced in medical education across India. By increasing access to medical colleges and advocating for innovative partnerships between private institutions and district hospitals, the Government is trying to lay the foundation for a robust healthcare ecosystem that prioritises quality, accessibility, and affordability. However, sustained efforts from the Government are required to ensure that such initiatives produce tangible improvements in healthcare and medical education.
Historically, rural and remote areas have faced challenges accessing quality healthcare services due to a lack of healthcare infrastructure. Thus, the Government aims to bring medical education and healthcare closer to needy people by strategically allocating new medical colleges (especially those linked to district hospitals). With the increasing number of medical graduates and postgraduates in India, there is a potential for advanced specialisation and expertise across various fields of medicine.
India has the potential to emerge as a global leader in medical education and healthcare innovation. However, jointly planned efforts from policymakers, educational institutions, healthcare providers, and the community are essential to make this a reality and create a healthier and prosperous future for all.
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