Union Minister for Health and Family Welfare, Shri J.P. Nadda, participated in the Bhumi Pujan ceremony marking the commencement of construction of two new medical colleges under the innovative Public–Private Partnership (PPP) model in Dhar and Betul districts. These institutions are part of four PPP-based medical colleges being developed in the State at Dhar, Betul, Katni, and Panna linked with existing district hospitals to strengthen both medical education and healthcare service delivery.
Under this model, the State Government has provided up to 25 acres of land on lease, while private service providers will construct academic and clinical infrastructure, including medical college buildings, hostels, laboratories, and residential complexes. The associated district hospitals will be upgraded in strict accordance with National Medical Commission (NMC) norms, while remaining under the administrative control of the State Government to ensure uninterrupted public health services.
Addressing the gathering in Dhar, Madhya Pradesh, Shri Nadda described the occasion as a historic milestone, noting that the PPP model reflects a forward-looking approach to expanding medical education and healthcare delivery. He highlighted that India’s healthcare system, once focused primarily on curative care, has undergone a paradigm shift since 2017 under the leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, moving towards preventive, promotive, and holistic healthcare.
Shri Nadda underscored the role of over 1.82 lakh Ayushman Arogya Mandirs (AAMs) in delivering comprehensive primary healthcare, particularly maternal and child health services, from pregnancy to safe institutional delivery and vaccination. He also noted the success of the U-WIN portal, which enables real-time immunisation surveillance for approximately 2.5 crore pregnant women and 2.5 crore children nationwide, supported by Anganwadi and ASHA workers.
Highlighting the key achievements during his address in Betul, Madhya Pradesh, Union Health Minister informed that institutional deliveries in the country have risen to nearly 89%, driven by ASHA workers’ grassroots mobilisation. He said, India’s decline in the Maternal Mortality Ratio (MMR) has been more than twice the global average. Over 40 crore people have been screened for hypertension, with 6.80 crore diagnosed and under treatment. Over 40 crore screened for diabetes, with 4.60 crore diagnosed and receiving care. Cancer screening initiatives have reached millions, identifying thousands of cases early. Shri Nadda emphasised that systematic screening and early detection are enabling timely treatment and improved health outcomes.
The Minister also highlighted the unprecedented growth in medical education infrastructure:
- Medical colleges have increased from 387 in 2014 to 819 at present.
- MBBS seats have more than doubled from 51,000 to over 1.28 lakh.
- The Government is committed to adding 75,000 new medical seats by 2029, strengthening India’s healthcare human resources.
