Union Health Secretary Shri Apurva Chandra has written to States/UTs clarifying that all existing DH/RHs that are being converted into Medical Colleges will continue their roles and obligations under the National Health Mission (NHM) and will continue to receive funding support from the Center under NHM. This is in response to demands made by some States/UTs for the construction of additional District/Referral hospitals (DH/RH) due to concerns that the existing DH/RH which are being converted into Medical Colleges will cease receiving funding from NHM.

During the previous nine years, there have been persistent efforts to increase the number of medical colleges. Currently, there are 706 medical colleges in the nation. The number of medical colleges that have been established has increased by 82% since 2014, with 319 new medical institutions (including private medical colleges) introduced in the past nine years. With increased emphasis and funding for professional education and excellence, India's network of medical schools has grown multiple times over. The goal has been to solve the issue of accessibility and reach the underprivileged areas. Improving the doctor-to-patient ratio has been a continuous global effort to provide improved access to healthcare services.

"Establishment of New Medical Colleges attached with existing District/Referral Hospitals" is a 2014 initiative that aims to strengthen and upgrade district hospitals in order to establish new medical colleges through centrally sponsored funding support. 157 colleges have been approved under the Scheme's three phases, which have been executed to date with the goal of increasing the number of medical professionals. These 157 medical colleges now have 108 operational medical colleges. 40 of the 157 authorized colleges are situated in aspirational districts, providing a boost to capital investment in these areas.

(Input from various sources)

(Rehash/Priyanka Pandey/MSM)