Gujarat Boosts Medical Education on National Doctor's Day

Gandhinagar – National Doctor's Day, celebrated annually on July 1 in memory of Dr. Bidhan Chandra Roy, was marked in Gujarat with a focus on expanding medical education under the leadership of Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel. This year's theme, "Wings and Stethoscopes: Healers of Hope," underscores the crucial role of doctors in society.

In line with this theme, the Gujarat government has been actively promoting medical education, especially for women. The Mukhyamantri Kanya Kelvani Nidhi Yojana (MKKN) has been a cornerstone of these efforts, providing financial assistance to bright girl students pursuing MBBS. Since its inception in 2017, the scheme has benefited 19,776 girl students with a total disbursement of Rs 573.50 crore.

The MKKN scheme supports students from families with an annual income of up to Rs 6 lakh, irrespective of their community background. For the academic year 2023-24, Rs 171.55 crore has been allocated to 4982 girl students, surpassing the target of assisting 4000 students with Rs 140 crore.

To further enhance medical education accessibility, the state government has increased the number of medical colleges from 10 in 2001-02 to 40 in 2023-24, and medical seats from 1275 to 7050. This expansion ensures that students can receive quality medical education locally without needing to leave the state.

In 2022, the central government, led by Prime Minister Modi, allocated Rs 2250 crore to establish new government medical colleges in Navsari, Narmada, Panchmahal, Morbi, and Porbandar. Each college offers 100 seats, with Navsari, Narmada, and Panchmahal being tribal districts, providing tribal students ample opportunities to pursue medical careers.

These initiatives demonstrate Gujarat's commitment to nurturing future medical professionals and enhancing healthcare services across the state.