Raja Syed Rather
Srinagar, Feb 13 :
The Government of India on Friday informed the Lok Sabha that seven Government Medical Colleges have been approved for Jammu and Kashmir under the centrally sponsored scheme aimed at establishing new institutions attached with existing district or referral hospitals.
Replying to unstarred question No. 2500, Union Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare Anupriya Patel, according to the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), said that a total of 157 Government Medical Colleges have been approved across the country under the scheme, which is being implemented by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.
The Minister said the scheme gives preference to underserved areas and aspirational districts where no Government or private medical college exists. It aims to strengthen tertiary healthcare facilities at the district level and increase the availability of MBBS seats across the country.
As per the details placed before the House, five medical colleges in Jammu and Kashmir were approved in Phase-I of the scheme. These include Anantnag, Baramulla, Rajouri, Doda and Kathua districts.
In Phase-III, two more medical colleges were approved for Udhampur and Handwara in Kupwara district, taking the total number of colleges sanctioned for J&K under the scheme to seven.
Regarding funding, the Minister informed that the scheme follows a Centre-State sharing pattern of 90:10 for North Eastern and Special Category States, and 60:40 for other States and Union Territories. The financial assistance is provided under the Centrally Sponsored Scheme for establishment of new medical colleges attached with existing district or referral hospitals.
The government said the initiative is aimed at reducing regional disparities in medical education and healthcare services, particularly in remote and underserved districts—(KNO)