Increase in undergraduate seats sought in three government medical colleges

Tamil Nadu has sought an increase in the number of MBBS seats at three government medical colleges at Namakkal, Tiruppur and Virudhunagar from 100 to 150 each, Health Minister Ma. Subramanian said shortly after meeting Union Health Minister J.P. Nadda in New Delhi on Tuesday.

The three medical colleges have infrastructure and faculty posts to accommodate 150 students each. “As of now, the intake is 100 seats each. We have asked for an additional 50 seats each. They have assured us to look into the demand,” he said. The Minister said that through this, the State stands a chance of getting 150 more undergraduate medical seats.

Mr. Subramanian said they have submitted a memorandum with 11 demands to the Union Health Minister. The State, he said, has a total of 36 government medical colleges. Six districts – Mayiladuthurai, Tenkasi, Kancheepuram, Perambalur, Ranipet and Tirupattur – do not have medical colleges. They have reiterated the demand to establish six more medical colleges in the State, he said, adding that the Union Health Minister assured to consider the demand.

The State has requested for sanction of another 24 urban and 26 rural Primary Health Centres (PHC) and 500 Health Sub Centres (HSC) in the State. TN currently has 2,286 urban and rural PHCs and 8,713 HSCs. These additional centres were essential based on the population and requirement, he said.

Strengthening of cancer care services in Tamil Nadu under the Tertiary Care Initiative Scheme at a cost of Rs. 447.94 crore and strengthening of neurosurgery departments, establishment of simulation and skill labs in 22 tertiary care institutions at Rs. 603.45 crore were also sought during the meeting.

The demand to establish a second All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) at Coimbatore was reiterated. On the progress of construction works at AIIMS, Madurai, Mr. Subramanian said that the State had taken up works for electricity connection and drinking water as asked by the AIIMS administration at Madurai. He along with the Health Secretary would visit the site next week, he added.

The State reiterated its opposition to the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test and National Exit Test Regulations, 2023. It also registered its objection to the common counselling proposed by National Medical Commission (NMC), Graduate Medical Education Regulations, 2023 and Establishment of New Medical Institutions, Starting of New Medical Courses, Increase of Seats for Existing Courses and Assessment and Rating) Regulations, 2023.

Health Secretary P. Senthilkumar, Tamil Nadu House Resident Commissioner Ashish Kumar and Mission Director of National Health Mission Director, Tamil Nadu Arun Thamburaj were present.