Lok Sabha Question No. 1077 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-12-08
Subject: Medical Colleges in Tribal Dominated Areas
Ministry: HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE
Asked by: Guman Singh Damor

## GOVERNMENTOFINDIA MINISTRY OFHEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE DEPARTMENTOFHEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. † 1077 TO BE ANSWERED ON 8 TH DECEMBER, 2023

## MEDICALCOLLEGES IN TRIBALDOMINATED AREAS

## †1077. SHRI GUMAN SINGH DAMOR:

Will the Minister of HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE be pleased to state:

- (a) whether medical colleges are proposed to be set up in each district of the country and if so, the timeline by which the medical colleges are proposed to be set up on priority basis across the tribal dominated areas due to high incidence of diseases;
- (b) whether fully equipped super specialty hospitals for mental diseases are proposed to be set up in all the States in view of the spurt in mental diseases;
- (c) if so, the details thereof and if not, whether it is likely to be considered;
- (d) whether the duration of Graduation and Post-Graduation in the field of medicine is higher in comparison to the degrees in other fields of education, if so, the details thereof;
- (e) whether the duration of the course(s) is/are likely to be made on par with degrees in other fields; and
- (f) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE

## (DR. BHARATI PRAVIN PAWAR)

(a) to (f): The Ministry of Health & Family Welfare administers a Centrally Sponsored Scheme (CSS) for 'Establishment of new medical colleges attached with existing district/referral hospitals' with preference to underserved areas and aspirational districts, where there is no existing Government or private medical college. The fund sharing mechanism between the Centre and State Governments is in the ratio of 90:10 for North Eastern and Special Category States, and 60:40 for others. Under the Scheme, all the envisaged 157 Government medical colleges have already been approved in three phases, of which 38 medical colleges have been approved in tribal districts in which 29 have become functional. As per the scheme guidelines, the planning, execution and commissioning of the project is to be done by the State Government.

For providing affordable and accessible mental healthcare facilities in the country, the Government is implementing the National Mental Health Programme (NMHP) in the country. The District Mental Health Programme (DMHP) component of the NMHP has been sanctioned for implementation in 738 districts for which support is provided to States/UTs through the National Health Mission. Facilities made available under DMHP at the Community Health Centre(CHC) and Primary Health Centre(PHC) levels, include outpatient services, assessment, counselling/ psycho-social interventions, continuing care and support to persons with severe mental disorders, drugs, outreach services, ambulance services etc.

Under the tertiary care component of NMHP, 25 Centres of Excellence have been sanctioned to increase the intake of students in PG departments in mental health specialities as well as to provide tertiary level treatment facilities. Further, the Government has also supported 19 Government medical colleges/institutions to strengthen 47 PG Departments in mental health specialties. Mental Health Services are also provisioned for 22 AIIMS. These services are also available under PMJAY.

Besides the above, the Government has launched a 'National Tele Mental Health Programme' on 10th October, 2022, to improve access to quality mental health counselling and care services in the country. 34 States/ UTs have set up 46 Tele MANAS Cells and have started tele mental health services. More than 4,80,000 calls have been handled on the helpline number.

As informed by National Medical Commission (NMC) the duration of MBBS courses are 4 1/2 years and duration of PG degree in medicine is 3 years.

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