Government Forms Committee for Establishment of New Medical Colleges

The national government established a council to advise on the formation of new medical colleges using current hospital facilities. This initiative aligns with the government's announcement of the introduction of the interim budget.

The committee will debate the topic and prepare a report that includes practical assessments, standards, execution plans, budgetary consequences, and timetables. This report will be forwarded to the responsible authority for review, as stated in the official order dated February 19.

The committee has 14 members and is chaired by the Member (Health) of the NITI Aayog. Other members include representatives from the Ministry of Home Affairs, Ministry of Defence, Ministry of Labour, Ministry of Coal, Ministry of Heavy Industry and Public Enterprise, Ministry of Mines, Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas, Ministry of Power, Ministry of Railways, Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, Ministry of Steel, the Chairman of the National Medical Commission, and an additional secretary from the Ministry of Health.

Within four months, the group will submit its findings and recommendations to the Ministry of Health. Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman declared in her budget speech that the government intends to create new medical institutions using existing hospital facilities in various departments.

"A committee for this purpose will be set up to examine the issues and make relevant recommendations," Mrs Sitharaman had said.