Government to develop 10 medical colleges

VIJAYAWADA: Here is some good news for the students  aspiring to pursue MBBS. The government which decided to increase the number of MBBS seats in all the 10 government medical colleges in the state, has given its approval to develop infrastructure in the institutions as per the norms of the Medical Council of India (MCI).According to official sources in Siddhartha Government Medical College, the state government has  sanctioned Rs 11.66 crore for the development of infrastructure in the college. Of the total amount, Rs 7.6 crore is earmarked for the construction of hostel buildings and Rs 3 crore for furniture and other infrastructure and renovation of the college. At present, the college has 100 MBBS seats. The number of seats will go up to 150 with the state government’s decision to rise the intake of MBBS course.For the Guntur Government Medical College, Rs 11.18 crore has been sanctioned. Of the total allocation, Rs 9.23 crore is meant for new buildings. The remaining amount can be used for renovation of college buildings.According to Prof KS Prasad, principal of Guntur Government Medical College, the number of MBBS seats in his institution will increase to 200 from the existing 150. The infrastructure in the college will be developed to meet the increase in student strength, he said.The MCI is scheduled to visit the government medical colleges in February to study the infrastructure and other facilities. The government has given administrative sanction for  release of Rs 79.63 crore towards extension and renovation of the 10 medical colleges in the state. The  increase in intake of MBBS course in the 10 government colleges is effective from the ensuing academic year.