CCEA okays upgradation of State Medical Colleges for new PG courses

The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) today approved a proposal from the Union Ministry of Health & Family Welfare for strengthening and upgradation of State Government Medical Colleges for starting new post-graduate courses and increasing seats.

This will be done with the help of central funding during the XIth Plan period, an official press release said.

As per the proposal, the State Government medical colleges will be funded by way of a one-time grant of Rs 1350 crore under a new Centrally Sponsored Scheme (CSS), with funding pattern of 75 per cent by Central Government and 25 per cent by State Governments for starting new PG courses and increasing the number of PG seats.

It said the release of funds under the scheme would be made conditional upon States committing to incur necessary recurring expenditure for maintaining the facilities created under the scheme after the XI Plan period (2007-12).

Funds will be disbursed directly to the Head of the Institute in two instalments. The State Government will undertake to refund the funds if the stipulated increase in PG seats or the new PG courses do not fructify within the prescribed period.

The proposal including quantum of funding will be decided by the Empowered Committee to be constituted under the Chairmanship of Union Health Secretary.

According to the release, the CCEA decision would result in an additional 5000 seats in post-graduate courses in 148 State Government medical colelges in pre- and para-clinical disciplines like Anatomy, Microbiology, Physiology, Pharmacology , Bio-chemistry, Forensic Medicine, Community Medicine and certain clinical disciplines like Obstretrics & Gynaecology, Paediatrics, Anaesthesiology, General Medicine and General Surgery. It will also result in strengthening the existing public health delivery system, the release added.

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