Srinagar, Mar 22: The National Medical Commission (NMC) has approved 200 MBBS seats for Government Medical College (GMC) Handwara and GMC Udhampur, bringing the total number of MBBS seats in J&K to 1300, according to authorities.
The NMC has written separate notifications to the principals of Government Medical College, Handwara and GMC Baramulla, seeking undertakings.
“I am directed to refer your application for the establishment of a new medical college at Government Medical College, Handwara, under the University of Kashmir, with an annual intake of 100 MBBS students for the academic year 2023-24,” states an official order issued by Member/President, Medical Assessment and Rating Board (MARB) of NMC.
The current proposal has been approved on the basis of an undertaking given by the Secretary, Health and Medical Education Department, Government of Jammu and Kashmir that the government will provide all infrastructure facilities, teaching and non-teaching faculties in the Medical College in accordance with NMC norms.
According to the NMC, in light of the permission of 100 MBBS seats, the Commission has decided to acquire undertakings/essential papers in order to grant a Letter of Approval for the start/increase in seats for the academic year 2023-24.
“The applicant shall offer all infrastructure facilities for teaching and non-teaching personnel building, equipment and hospital facilities as per National Medical Commission regulations. “No student shall be admitted to the following courses unless the Medical Assessment and Rating Board (MARB) has granted formal authorization,” states an order.
On March 13, the Health and Medical Education (H&ME) Department designated PHC Langate as 50-bedded associated hospital of GMC Handwara and linked it with the new medical college.
Similarly, the NMC has also issued a Letter of Intent for 100 MBBS for Government Medical College (GMC) Udhampur.
“I am directed to refer your application for Starting of New Medical at Government Medical College, Handwara under the University of Jammu with an annual intake of 100 MBBS students for the academic year 2023-24,” reads the order.
Dr Yashpal Sharma, Director (Coordination), New Medical Colleges, J&K said this is a significant step and it will improve the medical education and healthcare scenario.
“This is a major milestone and establishing seven new medical colleges is a big development. With this move, the MBBS seats have increased from 1100 to 1300 per year in Jammu and Kashmir,” he said.
He said faculty has been recruited for the two medical colleges. However, some infrastructure and academic issues would be improved further.
GMC Srinagar and Jammu have 360 MBBS seats, and Sher-i-Kashmir Institute of Medical Science (SKIMS), Soura, has 125 seats. GMC Doda, GMC Rajouri, GMC Kathua, GMC Anantnag, GMC Baramulla an annual intake of 100 MBBS seats each. While Acharya Shri Chander College of Medical Sciences (ASCOMS, Jammu has 100 seat.
