Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao on Friday virtually inaugurated nine new medical colleges at various locations in the state, as part of the government’s stated aim of opening at least one such institution in every district of the state.
The new medical colleges are located in the districts of Kamareddy, Karimnagar, Khammam, Kumram Bheem Asifabad, Jayashankar Bhupalpally, Jangaon, Nirmal, Rajanna Sircilla and Vikarabad.
Speaking on the occasion, Rao said the state cabinet had approved putting in place 34 government medical colleges in Telangana, like in no other state in the country.The number of medical colleges in the state has now reached 26 and eight more colleges are set to be opened by the start of the next academic year.
The number of medical seats in 2014 (when Telangana was formed and BRS came to power) was only 2,850 and the number stands at 8,515 now, he said, adding that the state would produce 10,000 doctors per year with the inauguration of eight new colleges next year (both government and private colleges put together).
KCR emphasised the historic significance of this development in the Indian medical sector.
“Starting next year, Telangana will be contributing 10,000 doctors annually.Just as white blood cells safeguard the body’s immunity, these white-coated doctors from Telangana will serve the nation’s health needs,” said KCR during the inauguration.
Telangana is producing 500 tons of oxygen now to meet any critical situation.The chief minister said he has directed Health Minister T Harish Rao to establish nursing colleges and institutions to train paramedical personnel, alongside establishing medical colleges in every district.
Telangana stood at 11th position in 2014 in the rankings given by the NITI Aayog in health-related indicators and now the rank is three, he pointed out.
