Strengthening healthcare services govt’s highest priority: CM

Bhopal: CM Mohan Yadav said on Sunday that enhancing and expanding healthcare services in the state is his govt's highest priority. He emphasised that PM Narendra Modi believes a self-reliant and empowered India is rooted in healthy citizens, and the state government is committed to ensuring accessible, advanced medical services for all.

On Nov 21, CM Yadav will lay the foundation stone for a new medical college in Ujjain, a project set to meet the healthcare needs of the region, especially in preparation for Simhastha 2028. The new medical college will provide tertiary-level healthcare services to Ujjain and neighboring districts.

Yadav highlighted the significant growth of medical education in the state, pointing out that the number of government medical colleges had increased from 5 in 2003 to 17, and MBBS seats had risen from 720 to 2,575.

New medical colleges are under construction in Sheopur, Singrauli, Mandla, and Rajgarh, with additional institutions planned in Chhatarpur, Damoh, and Budhni through self-financing grants. Twelve more colleges are being established under the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model, increasing the state's MBBS capacity by over 2,000 seats.

Additionally, Madhya Pradesh is the only state in the country where medical studies have been initiated in Hindi. Yadav also announced that community health centres across the state are being equipped with advanced medical facilities to provide district-level hospital-grade services. "Only healthy citizens can build a self-reliant Madhya Pradesh," Yadav said.

In addition to expanding medical education, the state is also enhancing healthcare infrastructure. Bed capacities in hospitals in Bhopal and Gwalior will rise to 2,500, and super-specialty hospitals are already operational in Indore, Gwalior, Jabalpur, and Rewa. New initiatives, such as the School of Excellence in Pulmonary Medicine in Jabalpur and the School of Excellence for Eye Care in Indore, are positioning Madhya Pradesh as a healthcare leader.

The Ujjain Medical College will be built on nearly 15 acres, with an estimated cost of ₹592.3 cr. It will feature modern infrastructure, including energy-efficient systems, solar energy, and advanced fire safety measures. The campus will also include a foot-over bridge, a library, a service block, and various healthcare facilities.

The attached teaching hospital will have a 550-bed capacity and offer emergency services, general and super-specialty outpatient services, and advanced diagnostic and treatment facilities such as CT, MRI, X-ray, radiotherapy, and a cath lab. The college will initially admit 100 MBBS students and provide extensive hostel accommodations for students and staff.

This project, alongside ongoing initiatives in nursing and paramedical education, demonstrates the state government's commitment to creating a self-reliant Madhya Pradesh through improved healthcare infrastructure and education.