Jammu (NVI): In a major boost to developmental efforts in Jammu and Kashmir, the Central Government has accorded approval for establishment of a New Government Medical College attached with existing district/referral hospital Handwara in Kupwara district of the Union Territory with an outlay of Rs 325 crore.
The J&K government received the sanction letter in this regard from the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare here today, an official statement said.
With this, Union Territory of Jammu & Kashmir will now have 10 Medical Colleges, besides having two AIIMS with Medical Colleges and one private Medical College which is already functional.
The college at Handwara would be set up at a cost of Rs. 325 crore under a centrally-sponsored scheme in existing district and referral hospitals on 90:10 funding pattern.
Out of the total amount, Rs 115 crore shall be expended on construction of Administrative and Academic Blocks, Rs. 80 crore will be spent on hostels and residential accommodation for students and faculty while Rs. 60 crore will be spent for upgrading of existing teaching faculty at District Hospital. Rs. 70 crore will be utilised for procurement of Machinery and Equipment for Government Medical College and its Associated Hospital (DH).
Pertinently, Union Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, had sought proposal from the State / UT Governments to establish New Government Medical College. In this regard, J&K Government had submitted proposal for establishment of three New Medical Colleges at Udhampur, Leh and Handwara. It got approval for establishment of New Government Medical Colleges at Udhampur and Leh while Handwara was kept pending due to non-availability of land in the District Hospital.
Financial Commissioner, Health and Medical Education, Atal Dulloo said the establishment of the new Medical Colleges shall further improve the quality of health care services in the district and would increase the availability of health professionals.
He said that the introduction of new Medical Colleges will promote affordable medical education in J&K besides creating added job avenues and enhancing the health care standards in the government sector.
In phase I of Centrally Sponsored Scheme for establishment of Government Medical Colleges in existing district / referral hospitals, Jammu & Kashmir was able to get approval for establishment of five new Govt. Medical Colleges at Anantnag, Baramulla, Doda, Kathua and Rajouri.
These colleges were made functional in record time and M.B.B.S classes were started in four Medical Colleges with permission from Medical Council of India. In GMC Doda, the classes are expected to start in the next academic session.
With the operationalisation of four New Govt. Medical Colleges, the number of M.B.B.S seats in Government Medical Colleges in Jammu & Kashmir has increased from 400 to 885.
