The state's plan to open 10 new medical colleges and add 1,000 MBBS seats this year is facing significant challenges. The National Medical Commission (NMC), which oversees medical education in India, conducted inspections last week and found numerous deficiencies in most of the proposed colleges. This could delay the opening of these institutions.

The NMC inspected the proposed colleges through both physical visits and online interactions. They found issues in key areas like faculty, infrastructure, and equipment. Some colleges lacked basic necessities such as buildings, faculty, hostels, libraries, and essential equipment.

For example, the college in Ambernath had combined four hospitals to meet the minimum bed strength requirement temporarily. However, the NMC found this arrangement unfeasible. Similarly, many colleges didn't have biometric attendance systems, which are crucial for tracking student attendance.

Out of the 10 proposed colleges, only three or four, including one at GT Hospital in Fort, are likely to meet the NMC's requirements and start this year. The others may need to wait at least a year. The colleges expect to receive formal letters this week, indicating whether they can start as planned or need to reapply after making necessary improvements.

A state official mentioned that it is rare for approvals to come after just one inspection. Once deficiencies are identified, the colleges will make the required corrections and reapply for approval. Despite the current setbacks, the state is committed to establishing these colleges, as it has allocated budget for this purpose.

Maharashtra currently has 25 government medical colleges offering a total of 3,950 MBBS seats. While the aim was to add 1,000 seats this year, the actual increase may only be around 300 or 400 if only a few colleges get approval.

The state has been working on expanding medical education, starting nine new medical colleges between 2014 and 2023. However, many of these new colleges are still facing challenges with faculty and hostels, raising concerns about the quality of education.

The establishment of new medical colleges in Maharashtra is crucial for addressing the healthcare needs of the population. While the current challenges are significant, the state's commitment to improving medical education and healthcare infrastructure is evident. With continued efforts and necessary improvements, these new colleges will eventually become operational, contributing to the overall goal of having at least one medical college in all 36 districts of the state.

Source:- The Times of India