Himanta on development spree, says 21 medical colleges by 2027

NEW DELHI | Updated: 02 September, 2023 6:53 pm IST
Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma at the event proclaiming the state's succes in the healthcare sector

NEW DELHI: Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma announced on Saturday that Assam is set to establish 21 medical colleges by 2026-27, at the inauguration of Nagaon Medical College’s first academic session on Saturday.  

Highlighting his government’s contribution to the furthering of the state’s healthcare system, he said that, at present, Assam has 12 medical colleges, and plans are underway to construct nine more. 

The Assam government expects to complete the construction of Tinsukia Medical College this year, followed by the inauguration of medical colleges in Charaideo and Biswanath Chariali in 2024. Two additional medical colleges in Sivsagar and Karimganj will commence construction this year, with another in Goalpara slated for the following year.

Urging the students to serve the patients to the best of their abilities, Dr Sarma said that medical students do not just have a duty to their profession but also the society. He also laid down the importance of medical schools, stating that most people had now chosen to visit medical colleges than district hospitals to receive quality treatment. 

He said that in 2014, India had 387 medical colleges, but in just nine years, this number has surged to 596, resulting in a remarkable increase in MBBS seats from 51,000 to 90,000. He further added that Assam, too, has witnessed growth, with MBBS seats rising from 726 in 2014 to 1,500 today.

Dr. Sarma also highlighted that, for the first time in the state’s history, three medical colleges commenced their academic sessions on the same day, marking the start of a new era in medical education. He praised Prime Minister Narendra Modi for driving the growth of medical education nationwide. 

Notably, PM Narendra Modi inaugurated the Nagaon, Nalbari, and Kokrajhar medical colleges, along with AIIMS in Changsari, with an investment of ₹ 1,800 crore.

Also Read Story

15 years, still no multispecialty hospital? Ravi Rane faces tough questions from Amravati, Badnera voters

Amravati’s flower sellers and vendors rally for BJP in Maharashtra Elections 2024

Maharashtra voters say Ladki Bahin Yojna aims to sway, not support

Lessons for India from Tulsi Gabbard’s approach to Trump’s win