Jharkhand to have 30 med colleges by 2032, says CM Hemant Soren

Jamshedpur: Stating that his govt was working with all seriousness to augment Jharkhand’s healthcare infrastructure, chief minister Hemant Soren on Friday pledged to set up 25-30 medical colleges in the state in the next six years.Addressing the inauguration ceremony of Netaji Subhash Medical College and Hospital (NSMCH), set up by Sitwanto Devi Mahila Kalyan Sansthan, a registered non-profit in Seraikela-Kharsawan district, on Friday, Hemant said that it is imperative to churn out more doctors to meet the growing needs of the people and the overall development which has been envisaged by the govt.“At present, there are 10 medical colleges in Jharkhand. That apart, work is underway for the construction of new medical colleges in Bokaro, Chaibasa and Koderma. Along with these medical colleges, the govt aims to have good hospitals, diagnostic centres and professional doctors in the state.”The CM further said that the govt is working on different proposals aimed at bringing state of the art diagnostic and treatment facilities in Jharkhand. Speaking at the event before Hemant, health minister Irfan Ansari said his department will give a representation to the Union health minister J P Nadda on January 12 demanding medical colleges in all the districts and hi-tech healthcare labs in the state.“BJP ruled states have hi-tech labs which Jharkhand does not. Along with medical colleges in all districts, we need hi-tech labs,” Ansari said.Additional chief secretary health, Ajoy Kumar Singh, informed that Jharkhand currently has one doctor for 7,000 persons which is far below the national average of one doctor for 1,000 people. “We are producing 1,230 medical undergraduates and 245 postgraduates at present. The focus is on increasing the numbers of the UGs and PGs in the coming years,” Singh said.Health minister Irfan Ansari said his department will give a representation to the Union health minister J P Nadda on January 12 demanding medical colleges in all the districts and hi-tech healthcare labs