KCR Inaugurates 9 New Government Medical Colleges

Chief Minister K Chandrashekar Rao virtually inaugurated nine new government medical colleges in the districts of Karimnagar, Kamareddy, Khammam, Jayashankar Bhupalpally, Komarambhim Asifabad, Nirmal, Rajanna-Sircilla, Vikarabad and Jangaon, from his camp office Pragathi Bhavan today.

Terming the launch of the nine colleges simultaneously as a red letter day in Telangana history, the Chief Minister highlighted the transformational journey of Telangana's healthcare sector from having just five government medical colleges in 2014 to reaching a total of 26 this year.

He said that in a bid to set up a government medical college in each district of Telangana, the State cabinet had also approved another eight medical colleges in Jogulamba Gadwal, Narayanpet, Mulugu, Warangal-Narsampet, Medak, Yadadri Bhongir, Rangareddy and Medchal Malkajgiri districts, which would be launched in the next year, and with that, Telangana would be the first Indian State to have a government medical college in each of its districts.

"There were only 2,850 medical seats in 2014. However, the State government, recognising the importance of strengthening the medical and health infrastructure, has initiated the setting up a medical college in each district, and the number of government medical colleges has reached 26 this year. I proudly say that Telangana is going to produce 10,000 doctors per year through private and government medical colleges from the next year," KCR said.

He added that Telangana's 22 medical seats for every one lakh population was the highest in the country.

The Chief Minister also pointed out that 85% of the medical seats were reserved for local students, providing accessibility to medical education for Telangana's youth, and congratulated Health Minister T Harish Rao and health officials for securing the favourable verdict in the High Court enabling that.

The CM also said that the State government was setting up nursing colleges and introducing paramedical courses affiliated with government medical colleges across all district headquarters.

"There was also an acute shortage of oxygen in hospitals during the coronavirus pandemic. Learning from that, the State government is today producing 500 tons of oxygen, and 50,000 beds are being converted into oxygen beds in all the hospitals across the State," KCR added.