Jammu, Nov 10: Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) Science & Technology; MoS PMO, Personnel, Public Grievances, Pensions, Department of Atomic Energy & Department of Space, Dr Jitendra Singh on Friday said the government under Prime Minister Narendra Modi has implemented several measures to make medical education affordable and accessible so that no deserving candidate finds himself at a disadvantage.
He said the number of MBBS seats has increased by 79%, from 51,348 to 91,927, while MD seats have increased by 93%, from 31,185 to 60,202 in just over 9 years.
In a quantum jump, Dr Jitendra mentioned that from 145 government medical colleges in 2014, India now has 260 such GMCs, while the number of AIIMS in the country has increased to 23 in over 9 years, he informed.
The minister was speaking after flagging off a 32-seater bus donated to AIIMS, Jammu, by the SBI. The function was held at Bakshi Nagar Camp Office of AIIMS, Jammu.
Director AIIMS Dr Shakti Gupta expressed his gratitude to Dr Jitendra Singh and commended his commitment to coming straight from Telangana to grace the occasion despite his pressing schedule.
Talking about India’s vaccination programme, Dr Singh stated that India has emerged as a world leader in protective healthcare. Earlier, the country wasn’t taken seriously as a healthcare provider, he noted.
He commended Prime Minister Narendra Modi for freeing the healthcare sector of shackles and doing away with obsolete regulations, adding that a more enabling milieu has been created.
The union minister suggested incorporating telemedicine provision in SBI-donated buses to hospitals on the pattern of the Doctors on Wheels facility. He called for an integrated health management protocol to add value to delivering medical services in far-flung areas.
Later, the minister interacted with the students and faculty of AIIMS, Jammu. He shared his experiences and offered tips to the students as to how to excel in their field.
Dr Jitendra exchanged views on the latest tools of medical practice like Artificial Intelligence, Quantum therapies etc and shared his experiences on the same. He also suggested theme-based CMEs involving multiple streams and disciplines under one roof. He also spoke about integrating clinical medicine with deep technology for drawing maximum outcomes.
On the occasion, Dr Jitendra released a book titled ” Handbook of Policies, Guidelines and Procedures”. The book highlights the importance of collaboration between institutions and conducting trials across multiple centres. He advised the students to work towards realising the Prime Minister’s vision of a developed nation by 2047.
