Andhra Pradesh Hopes for 100 Seats in Each of 5 New Medical Colleges

 Vijayawada: Andhra Pradesh government is hoping that the National Medical Commission (NMC) will approve 100 undergraduate medical seats for each of the five new government medical colleges being started in the state under the PPP (public-private partnership) mode.

These colleges are coming up at Markapur, Pulivendula, Adoni, Madanapalle and Piduguralla under Phase-2 of the development of medical colleges in the state.

The previous YSRC regime had intended in 2020 to set up 17 new government medical colleges in the state with 150 seats each in three phases. Under phase-1, it took up only five medical colleges at Vizianagaram, Rajamahendravaram, Eluru, Machilipatnam and Nandyal by developing the existing district hospitals and constructed buildings for colleges and hostels for accommodating 150 students each.

Earlier, NMC had a provision that there must be a minimum of 350 beds in a hospital attached to a college with 150 seats. In 2024, the commission changed its provisions. As per the new provisions, there must be 605 beds in the hospital for 150 seats in the attached medical college, 420 beds for 100 seats and 220 beds for 50 seats. This dealt a major blow to development of new medical colleges in the state.

However, government medical colleges proposed at Paderu, Piduguralla and Machilipatnam got sanctioned under the centrally sponsored scheme. In 2024, the medical college at Paderu also commenced classes.

Thereafter, the TD-led NDA government came to power. It proposed that under Phase 2, the remaining 10 government medical colleges located at Markapur, Pulivendula, Adoni, Madanapalle, Parvathipuram, Narsipatnam, Amalapuram, Palacole, Bapatla and Penugonda will be developed under the public-private-partnership mode.

As per the latest NMC guidelines on faculty for new colleges, one doctor is required for eight patients. There must be an in-patient ward with 220 beds with 80 per cent occupancy. One major surgery, two minor surgeries and seven deliveries should be performed in a week.

AP faces a gigantic task of mobilising huge amounts of funds for developing the new medical colleges. Under the centrally sponsored scheme, the centre fixed Rs 325 crore for developing each college. It contributes 60 per cent of the cost coming to ₹195 crore. The remaining has to be borne by the state government.

In the interim, the AP Medical Services and Infrastructure Development Corporation has estimated the cost of developing each medical college as ranging from Rs 500 crore to Rs 525 crore.

With the state government now opting for the PPP mode, bids have been invited for developing the 10 government medical colleges. The last date for submission of bids is December 22. Successful bidders will develop the colleges under DBFOT (Design, Build, Finance, Operate and Transfer) with a lease period of 33 years.

AP Medical Education joint director Dr. V.L.M. Raman said under Phase 2, they are hoping to develop five medical colleges with 50 to 100 medical seats each based on fulfilment of the NMC norms.