Maharashtra Government's Initiative to Upgrade PG Medical Education

Mumbai: With an aim to upgrade the Postgraduate medical education in the State, the Maharashtra Government has decided to allot the Government Medical Colleges Rs 1.2 crore per PG medical seat.

In this regard, the State has already asked the Deans of the GMCs to submit proposals. In fact, already all the government medical institutes in Akola, Yavatmal, Chandrapur and Gondia have sent their proposal to the State requesting funds.

Last month, it was reported that the Union Health Ministry confirmed that another 692 PG medical seats were expected to be added to the seat matrix of Maharashtra. Later, an official from the Directorate of Medical Education and Research (DMER) had also confirmed that the Centre has already given its nod for some colleges where inspection was complete.

Also Read: Maharashtra to get 692 more PG medical seats, 150 MBBS seats this year

As per the last year's data, Maharashtra had a total number of 4922 PG medical seats (MD/MS/DM/MCH/Dip) including 2786 seats in Government medical colleges and 2978 medical seats in Private medical colleges. Therefore, with the approval for another 692 seats, the total number of PG medical seats in the State will cross 3,000 for the first time.

Along with the new PG medical seats, the State Government is also working on the PG upgradation so that quality of healthcare in Maharashtra becomes better. In this regard, the State has decided to allot the GMCs Rs 1.2 crore per PG medical seat.

As per the latest media report by The Hitavda, the process of PG upgradation initiated during the time of Devendra Fadnavis-led Bharatiya Janata Party-Shiv Sena Government. However, the proposal did not move forward when Mahavikas Aaghadi was in power.

It had been decided at that time that the Central Government would share 60% of the total amount and the State would give money for the 40%. While the matter concerning funding remained pending for the last two years, the new Government has initiated the process once again and in this regard, the State has asked the GMCs for submitting their proposals.

The upgradation programme includes:

• Advanced classrooms
• Increased library facilities
• Some equipment
• Quality infrastructure for hostels

While commenting on the matter, Dr. Sudhir Gupta, Dean, Government Medical College and Hospital (GMCH) told the daily, "In 2010 GMCH had 100 Post Graduate seats. In 2022, the number has gone up to 248. Government had asked us to submit the detail proposal which I did. We have sought Rs 260 crore for the PG upgradation."

Also Read: Maharashtra Medical College likely to lose 11 MD Medicine seats as NMC puts admissions on hold