Common medical entrance test put on hold

Hyderabad, Jan 13 (PTI) A proposal to introduce a CommonMedical Entrance Test was today officially put on hold withthe Centre and the state governments deciding to have morediscussions in the matter before taking any decision.

At a state health ministers'' meeting here, a resolutionwas passed that the matter would be discussed further to takeon board the views and concerns of the states.

The Medical Council of India had issued a notificationannouncing nationwide common entrance examination foradmissions to medical colleges in the country which the Centrepromptly withdrew following protests by southern states.

The meeting also endorsed the introduction of theBachelor of Rural Health Care (BRHC) courses.

The Central government will also consider for inclusionin the 12th plan a major programme to support high-focusstates to set up or expand medical colleges, officials said.

The three-day meet is being held here, chaired by UnionHealth Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad and attended by Ministers ofHealth and Medical Education from 16 states and PrincipalSecretaries, Secretaries and Directors of Health and MedicalEducation from 28 states or Union Territories.

The meeting also resolved to assist in setting up newmedical colleges in the un-served or under-served areas andgive financial assistance to state government colleges forstrengthening infrastructure for increased intake atunder-graduate and post-graduate level.

Financial support to states to start a minimum of 50medical schools for the BRHC course in the high focus statesfor the year 2011-12 would also be given.