The Central Government has approved four new medical colleges for Jharkhand. This decision adds 350 new MBBS seats to the state. The colleges will be set up in Khunti , Jamtara , Dhanbad , and Giridih districts. The aim is to improve healthcare in rural and semi-urban areas and offer more opportunities for students who clear the NEET UG exam .
The approval came during a meeting of the Department of Economic Affairs (DEA) under the Ministry of Finance in New Delhi. Ajay Kumar Singh , Additional Chief Secretary of Jharkhand's Health Department, presented the plan. The new colleges will be built using a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model, which means both government and private companies will work together.
New Medical Colleges and Seat Details
The four new medical colleges will boost the number of medical seats available in Jharkhand. Here is a breakdown of the new MBBS seats for each district:
| District | New MBBS Seats |
| Khunti | 50 |
| Jamtara | 100 |
| Dhanbad | 100 |
| Giridih | 100 |
| Total | 350 |
These colleges will help bridge the gap in healthcare services in these regions. They will also provide more options for students in Jharkhand who want to become doctors.
Funding for the New Colleges
The projects will receive financial help from both the Central Government and the State Government. This support comes under the Viability Gap Funding (VGF) sub-scheme. The funding structure differs slightly for Dhanbad compared to the other three districts.
For the medical colleges in Khunti , Jamtara , and Giridih , the funding is as follows:
- The Central Government will cover 40% of the initial building costs.
- The Central Government will also cover 25% of the ongoing running costs.
- The Jharkhand State Government will cover between 25% and 40% of the initial building costs.
- The Jharkhand State Government will also cover between 15% and 25% of the ongoing running costs.
For the medical college in Dhanbad , the funding for initial building costs is:
- The Central Government will cover 30% of the initial building costs.
- The Jharkhand State Government will also cover 30% of the initial building costs.
This joint funding model ensures that the colleges can be built and run effectively. It focuses on making medical education and healthcare accessible in areas that need it most. The new colleges mark a step forward in improving medical education and healthcare access across Jharkhand.
