In a landmark announcement set to transform Bihar's healthcare landscape, the state is poised for an unprecedented expansion in medical education infrastructure. The number of medical colleges is projected to nearly double, surging from the current 26 to an impressive 48 within the next three years.
Ambitious Expansion Plan Unveiled
Health and Law Minister Mangal Pandey made the significant declaration while addressing the convocation ceremony at Al-Karim University in Katihar on Saturday. He revealed that the first phase of this ambitious plan will see seven new medical colleges inaugurated before the end of this year. This initial boost will elevate the state's tally from 26 to 33 colleges by December.
Pandey emphasized that this rapid development is part of a strategic vision to build a robust healthcare ecosystem. "The way the state government is constructing colleges in various districts, the total number of hospitals is likely to reach 48 in the next three years," the minister stated confidently.
Focus on Creating Specialist Doctors
Moving beyond just increasing undergraduate (UG) capacity, the government has set a critical parallel goal. Pandey highlighted a focused drive to create an equal number of postgraduate (PG) seats as there are for UG students. This initiative aims to ensure that every medical graduate from Bihar has the opportunity to become a specialist in a chosen field.
"We are creating as many PG seats as there are UG seats so that every medical student becomes a specialist in some department. This is the dream of Prime Minister Narendra Modi for a healthier India," Pandey explained, directly linking the state's efforts to the national vision.
Recognition and Broader Vision
The health minister also took pride in another significant achievement. He announced that Bihar has secured the top rank in the country for uninterrupted free drug supply in government hospitals for the past 13 consecutive months. Pandey credited this success for enhancing public trust in the state's healthcare system.
He connected Bihar's progress to national development, asserting, "A developed India is not possible without a developed Bihar." The convocation, which had Governor Arif Mohammad Khan as the chief guest, served as a platform to underscore this interconnected growth.
Governor Khan, while conferring degrees upon postgraduate medical students, acknowledged the positive trajectory. He noted that while healthcare services and transportation infrastructure faced challenges in the past, they are now witnessing continuous improvement across the state.
"The development of Bihar is essential for the overall development of the country," Governor Khan remarked, reinforcing the state's pivotal role in national progress.
Charge to the New Doctors
Addressing the young doctors who received their degrees, Governor Khan motivated them to embrace their crucial role in society. He reminded them that they are now integral to the mainstream and carry a profound social responsibility.
"A healthy society is the foundation of a developed nation, and the most important responsibility for building this healthy society now rests on the shoulders of young doctors," Khan urged. He called upon the new medical professionals to fulfill their duties with honesty and dedication in their careers.
This comprehensive push in medical education, coupled with the recognition of existing strengths in drug supply, marks a decisive turn for Bihar's public health sector. The plan to double medical colleges and prioritize specialist training is expected to not only increase the doctor-to-population ratio but also improve the quality of healthcare by producing more experts within the state, reducing dependency on other regions for advanced medical care.
