Hry aiming to raise MBBS seats to over 3.4k by '29: CM
Nayab Singh Saini
on Tuesday said the state govt was consistently working to provide better resources to the doctors and quality healthcare services to the citizens.
He mentioned that medical colleges were being established in every district.
While there were only six medical colleges in 2014, the number has now increased to 15, and nine new colleges are under construction. As a result, MBBS seats in the state increased from 700 in 2014 to 2,185, at present. The state govt aims to increase the MBBS seats to over 3,400 by 2029, said Saini.
The CM was addressing a gathering as the chief guest at an event organised on National Doctors' Day by the
Derabassi Medical Association
in Chandigarh.
He appreciated the significant contribution of the Derabassi Medical Association in the field of human service, mentioning that a free dialysis centre has been operational at Chaurasia Hospital for the last two years.
Extending greetings and best wishes to all doctors, healthcare workers, and those associated with the medical field on National Doctors' Day, Saini said they were the "true servants of humanity".
Their spirit of service, dedication, and sensitivity plays a vital role in building a healthy, safe, and empowered society, he added. The CM emphasised that the govt's objective was to ensure that every doctor had access to adequate resources and every citizen received proper treatment.
He said, to strengthen the medical infrastructure, the number of postgraduate seats was increased from 289 to 1,043. In addition, there are 155 seats for PG diplomas, he said.
To address the shortage of medics, the govt recruited 3,798 doctors since 2014. The retirement age for doctors was also raised from 58 to 65, said Saini.
He also elaborated upon the upgrade of healthcare facilities in govt-run hospitals of the state as well as the facilities for the poor and elderly seeking free treatment in private hospitals.
The CM said this year's theme for Doctors' Day was "Caring for the caregivers behind the mask". This theme inspires us to appreciate doctors not only for their professional services, but also for their contribution to human welfare.
It calls for understanding and fulfilling their needs, he said. He recalled that during the Covid-19 pandemic, when the entire country was indoors, doctors stood by patients wearing the PPE kits while staying away from their families.
The CM also felicitated various doctors for their contribution to public service. He also released a magazine of the Derabassi Medical Association.
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