Government Launches Five New Medical Colleges in AP

The Vijayawada State government is preparing to open five new public medical colleges beginning in the 2024-25 academic year. The medical and health department has applied to the MCI for permission to start lessons at the new colleges in Pulivendula, Paderu, Markapuram, Adoni, and Madanapalle. Each college would receive 150 MBBS seats, for a total intake of 750 seats.

The state government plans to establish 17 government medical colleges for three years, beginning with the 2023-24 academic year. Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy has vowed to bring 17 medical institutions into the government sector shortly after taking office in 2019 and has asked the administration to prepare the arrangements. The chief minister also approved the state medical and health department's proposal for the new colleges, which included an expense of 8,500 crore. Jagan appointed active IAS officer MT Krishna Babu as the head of the medical and health departments to ensure that the projects were completed on time. 

To demonstrate its dedication to efficient service delivery, the state government enacted a zero-vacancy policy in the medical and health departments. Each empty position is filled immediately through a separate notification, without waiting for government approval. The state government has allocated approximately 222 posts for each new college and 484 posts for each teaching hospital, assuring a smooth start for these institutions. 

Interestingly, the state administration has approved a 50% rise in basic wage for all those seeking to work in tribal hospitals and medical colleges. This significant incentive is available to colleges in Paderu, Markapuram, Parvathipuram, Piduguralla, and Penugonda. Additionally, around 30% more compensation will be given to staff working in distant region colleges like Pulivendula, Madanapalle, Adoni, Bapatla, Amalapuram, Palakonda, and Narsipatnam, encouraging healthcare professionals to serve in these locations.

Despite the inconvenience and financial problems caused by the COVID-19 pandemic in subsequent years, the chief minister wanted the health department to complete the first phase well ahead of schedule. Interestingly, the health department worked overtime to prepare all five universities indicated in the first phase well before 2022. It soon submitted the records to the National Medical Council and obtained the necessary certifications. "We are moving forward with a clear agenda and timelines. "We will get five more colleges during the upcoming academic year and another seven colleges in the 2025-26 academic year," stated a senior official.