Govt. announces investment of ₹2,500 crore to establish three new medical colleges

In a significant development aimed at bolstering healthcare infrastructure in the state, the Maharashtra government has announced a substantial investment of ₹2,500 crore to establish three new medical colleges in Ratnagiri, Sindhudurg, and Nandurbar. This investment is poised to enhance medical education and healthcare services in the region, with each college set to feature a 400-bed hospital alongside academic facilities.

State's Commitment

Underlining their commitment to the project, the state government has pledged to fund 50% of the total amount, amounting to ₹1,250 crore, to support the construction and capacity building of these medical colleges. These colleges are being developed from the ground up, signifying greenfield projects in healthcare infrastructure. Funding for this ambitious endeavor is being facilitated through a partnership with the Asian Development Bank (ADB).

Expanding Healthcare Footprint

Maharashtra currently boasts 25 medical colleges spread across various districts, with plans to further expand this network by adding nine more medical colleges across nine different districts. Construction has already commenced on some of these new projects, with the state government shouldering the financial burden. Dinesh Waghmare, the additional chief secretary of the medical education department, confirmed that the ADB would provide financing for three of these colleges, with the state taking responsibility for covering the construction expenses of the remaining institutions. He further stated that the state government would be responsible for funding the ₹1,200 crore associated with enhancing the capacity of these colleges. Waghmare also mentioned that the interest rate for ADB funding would depend on the prevailing dollar exchange rate, but they anticipated it to fall within the range of 6 to 7%.

Accelerated Efforts

The state government has given the green light to the nine hospitals, with total costs exceeding ₹4,400 crore. This sum encompasses not only construction expenses but also the expenditure incurred on establishing the infrastructure, including salaries for medical professionals, nurses, and support staff. The process of land identification and acquisition is actively underway for some of these colleges. The medical education department has expedited the construction procedures due to a recent incident in which 37 fatalities occurred at Dr. Shankarrao Chavan Medical College and Government Hospital within a span of two days. An official from the department mentioned that they anticipated the commencement of construction for three colleges as soon as possible. The official also noted that the state government, when granting approval for these colleges, had permitted funding from the ADB and Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) with approval from the finance department.

Private Sector Collaboration

In a bid to further enhance healthcare services, the state government is exploring the possibility of securing funding from private sector entities through a public-private partnership model. Private funding is expected to facilitate the expansion and modernization of the existing medical colleges, particularly in terms of tertiary care facilities within hospitals. Expressions of interest have been invited, and the government intends to gauge private sector interest before finalizing collaborations for these college projects.