Bangalore: Six districts of the state that are considered the most backward in terms of development and health indicators will get one medical college each from the next academic year.
The state medical education department has already invited applications for the post of directors of the colleges.
According to the state government, eight new medical colleges are supposed to open, but work this year will begin on six.
The Directorate of Medical EduÂcation (DME) has invited applications for the post of director from the faculty serving in any of the government/government autoÂnomous medical colleges in the state.
Backward districts: the new medical colleges are planned in those districts that have an acute shortage of health services.
Colleges are planned in Karwar, Coorg, Koppal, Gadag, ChamaÂrajnagar and Gulbarga districts. Of these, only Gulbarga has private and ESI medical colleges. The others don't have either a medical college or a good hospital.
Health indicators in Chamarajnagar, Gadag, Koppal and Kawar are alarming, says a health officer. The colleges will come up in the district headquarters and existing district hospitals will be attached to them.
Bonanza for CET students: the state government’s decision to start new medical colleges will benefit those aspiring for medical seats.
“The state government's aim is to have 100 to 150 intake in each of these six new colleges. This means the number of government medical seats will go up by between 600 and 900,” said an officer from the chief minister’s office.
Following are the existing government medical colleges: Bangalore, Mysore, Hubli, Bellary, Mandya, Raichur, Bidar, Belgaum, Hassan, Shimoga.
