Gujarat govt recommends 5 more new medical colleges in the state under central scheme

Gandhinagar: Gujarat government today said that it has recommended the center to open 5 more new medical colleges and attached 300 bed hospitals in Godhara of Panchmahal district, Veraval of Gir Somnath, Jamkhambhaliya of Devbhoomi Dwarka district, Botad and Morbi.

The state government had earlier in October last year recommended three new medical colleges in tribal dominant Rajpipala- district headquarter town of Narmada district, Navsari in South Gujarat and Porbandar- the birth place of Mahatma Gandhi in coastal Saurashtra region of the western state.

Deputy Chief Minister and cabinet minister for Health and Medical Education told newsmen here today that the center had taken a decision in August last year to start 75 new medical colleges in the country in such areas where such facility was not available. We had earlier recommended 3 colleges and today it has been decided to further recommend 5 more.

Patel said that under the scheme 60% of the cost for setting up such medical colleges ie Rs 195 crore for each would be provided by the central government as grant while the remaining 130 crore (of total 325 crore for each) would be spend by the state government. In all over Rs 1500 crore would be spent.

He said that earlier under the scheme it was mandatory to keep the 300 bed hospitals in the medical college premises but now it has been relaxed and the distance between the two could be up to 10 km. The existing hospitals with less than 300 beds in the five recommended districts would be upgraded to 300 beds. Godhara has currently 210 bed, Veraval has 150 bed, Jamkhambhaliya has 150 bed, Botad has 100 bed and Morbi has around 200 bed hospitals.

Patel said that currently there were in all 5500 medical seats in Gujarat which would increase after sanction to the new colleges.

DeshGujarat