In a significant move to enhance India’s healthcare infrastructure, Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced plans to create an additional 75,000 medical seats over the next five years. This announcement was made during his eleventh Independence Day speech delivered from the historic Red Fort.
Reflecting on the past decade, PM Modi highlighted that the number of medical seats in India has already reached nearly 100,000. “In the last 10 years, we have significantly increased the number of medical seats in the country,” Modi stated.
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He addressed a notable issue: many Indian students, primarily from middle-class families, have been pursuing medical education abroad. “Approximately 25,000 youths go overseas for medical studies each year, often to countries that surprise me,” he said. The cost of this education, he added, is substantial, amounting to “lakhs and crores.”
To address this, the Prime Minister outlined the government’s commitment to adding 75,000 new medical seats, aiming to make India a more self-sufficient hub for medical education. Modi emphasized the goal of developing an education system robust enough to retain Indian students domestically while attracting international students.
Recent government statistics reveal a significant expansion in medical education facilities. The number of medical colleges has risen by 82 percent, from 387 in 2014 to 704 in 2023. Correspondingly, the total MBBS seats have surged by 110 percent, from 51,348 to 107,948.
In addition to the healthcare initiative, PM Modi also introduced the Rashtriya Poshan Mission, aligning with his vision of ‘Swasth Bharat’ (Healthy India) under the broader ‘Viksit Bharat 2047’ initiative. He stressed the importance of nutrition in achieving a prosperous and healthy nation. “A prosperous Bharat must be a healthy Bharat, which is why we have launched the Poshan Mission,” Modi asserted.
The announcements reflect the government’s ongoing efforts to improve India’s healthcare system and foster a healthier future for its citizens.
