MCI Relaxed Norms to Set Up Medical Colleges in North East

The Medical Council of India has relaxed the norms to establish medical colleges in North East and other hilly areas. The Health Minister, J P Nadda said that the norms/criteria for establishing a medical college are prescribed by the Medical Council of India’s (MCI) regulations namely “Establishment of Medical College Regulations, 1999”. The norms relating to land requirement, bed occupancy has been relaxed to facilitate the setting up of medical colleges in North East and hilly areas.

With a view to upgrade and further strengthen medical education institutions run by different Governments in the country, including in hilly, remote and tribal areas, the Government has initiated a new Centrally Sponsored Scheme (CSS), namely “Establishment of new Medical Colleges attached with District/Referral Hospitals” with fund sharing between the Central Government and States in the ratio of 90:10 for NE/special category state and 75:25 for other states.

The Total Budget Estimates (BE) of the Department of Health during current financial year is Rs. 30,645 crore and Rs.8,733 crore has been earmarked for Health purpose at BE stage, out of this, Rs.3,896.80 crore earmarked for Medical Education & Training and as on 10.03.2015 the amount spent on Medical Education & Training is Rs.2,262.78 crore.

Source-Medindia