Uttar Pradesh Doubles MBBS Seats and Opens 17 New Medical Colleges This Year

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath highlighted the significant improvements in medical education within the state. He noted that MBBS seats have doubled, and 17 new medical colleges have been inaugurated this year. During an event in Maharajganj district, he reflected on the transformation of BRD Medical College in Gorakhpur, which now competes with AIIMS Gorakhpur.

Adityanath emphasised the state's progress since 2017 when financial constraints were a major issue. Despite these challenges, teamwork has led to substantial advancements. He stated that 5.14 crore underprivileged people in Uttar Pradesh have received Ayushman Bharat Yojana golden cards, improving healthcare access for many.

Healthcare Expansion and Infrastructure

The Chief Minister mentioned that AIIMS Gorakhpur's establishment has spurred the opening of medical colleges in Kushinagar, Deoria, Basti, Siddharthnagar, Gonda, Bahraich, Sultanpur, Ambedkarnagar, Ayodhya, and Pratapgarh. Previously, Uttar Pradesh had only 18 medical colleges nationwide; now, healthcare institutions exist in 64 districts.

Plans are underway to establish medical colleges in the remaining 6-7 districts under a new policy. Adityanath reiterated the commitment to achieving 'One District, One Medical College.' He accused past administrations of neglecting Terai districts but assured that Maharajganj is no longer overlooked.

Development Initiatives and Challenges

Since independence, Terai districts have faced neglect from previous governments. However, Maharajganj has received Rs 940 crore worth of development projects. This marks a significant step forward for the district. The Chief Minister recalled poor government facilities in the past, including lack of electricity and poor roads.

He noted that sugar mills were closing down and diseases like encephalitis were rampant due to polluted drinking water. Malaria was also a major concern. "However, today encephalitis has ended forever in the eastern region. Now no innocent dies," he stated.

Future Prospects and Economic Growth

Ensuring good connectivity to new medical colleges is a government priority. Nursing and paramedical colleges are also being developed to bolster the healthcare workforce. Adityanath praised Prime Minister Narendra Modi's leadership in making India an economic power.

"PM Modi has made India the fifth largest economy of the world," he said. The rapid pace of development suggests India could become the third largest economy globally within three years.