Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy inaugurated five medical colleges in Vizianagaram, Rajamahendravaram, Eluru, Machilipatnam, and Nandyal on Friday, 15 September.
The Vizianagaram government medical college at Gajularega, spread across 70 acres, was inaugurated in person, while the other four colleges — in Rajamahendravaram, Eluru, Machilipatnam, and Nandyal — were inaugurated virtually.
The chief minister noted that Andhra Pradesh, since Independence, had only 11 medical colleges, but was now adding 17 more, with an investment of ₹8,480 crore.
“As a result, thousands of students in our state are taking steps toward becoming exceptional doctors. I firmly believe that you will emerge as some of the finest medical professionals this country has ever witnessed. Always remember, not all angels have wings; some carry stethoscopes,” Reddy told students after the inauguration.
Also Read: Telangana doctors to safeguard nation’s health, says KCR
5 more medical colleges next year
He added that next year, the state planned to open five additional medical colleges, followed by seven more in the subsequent year.
“As of now, there are a total of 2,185 medical seats available. With the introduction of these new colleges, the number of seats will increase to 4,735,” said Jagan.
“These colleges are strategically located in tribal and economically disadvantaged areas. Furthermore, in the near future, an additional 2,737 post-graduate seats will become accessible,” asserted the chief minister.
“In addition to these developments, we will inaugurate 18 nursing colleges. Our commitment to healthcare is evident through the establishment of 10,032 village clinics, providing essential services at the grassroots level, with Asha workers playing a pivotal role.,” said the YSRCP chief.
రాష్ట్రవ్యాప్తంగా 17 మెడికల్ కాలేజీల ఏర్పాటులో భాగంగా నిర్మాణం పూర్తైన 5 కాలేజీలను నేడు మన ప్రభుత్వంలో ప్రారంభించాం. ఈ కాలేజీల్లో అడ్మిషన్లు పొందిన విద్యార్థులు ఇక్కడ నేర్చుకున్న విద్యతో ప్రజలకు మెరుగైన సేవలు అందించి, గొప్ప డాక్టర్లుగా పేరు తెచ్చుకోవాలి. మన ప్ర… pic.twitter.com/AQ90P4afla
— YS Jagan Mohan Reddy (@ysjagan) September 15, 2023
Jagan also emphasised that each mandal would be equipped with a primary health centre.
As part of the family doctor programme, free treatment was being extended to the villages, he noted.
Government hospitals now provide quality medicines, and Arogyasri services have been extended to cover 3,255 procedures, he added.
He also said a substantial increase in the budget allocation for healthcare had happened when compared to previous years.
Related: Telangana to open 9 medical colleges — with basic infrastructure
Plan for 17 medical college
As per the Andhra Pradesh Health Department, each college is being constructed at a cost of ₹500 crore to ensure accessibility to multi/super-speciality/advanced medical services.
The teaching hospitals are expected to encompass a built-up area of approximately 8.5 lakh sq ft, while the colleges themselves will reportedly have a built-up area of roughly 2.5 lakh sq ft.
Additionally, facilities such as hostels, staff quarters, sports and recreational amenities, laboratories, a digital library, and CCTV cameras are being put in place across a built-up area of about 2 lakh sq ft, it said.
The department added that the government was investing ₹16,852 crore in renovating the healthcare infrastructure under the “Nadu-Nedu” initiative. This initiative aims to ensure that even the underprivileged have access to high-quality medical care.
