Increase in undergraduate seats sought in three government medical colleges, says Health Minister

Increase in undergraduate seats sought in three government medical colleges, says Health Minister

The Hindu Bureau

CHENNAI  05.03.2025

Tamil Nadu has sought an increase in the number of MBBS seats at three government medical colleges at Namakkal, Tiruppur and Virudhunagar from 100 to 150 each, Health Minister Ma. Subramanian said shortly after meeting Union Health Minister J.P. Nadda in New Delhi on Tuesday.

The three medical colleges have infrastructure and faculty posts to accommodate 150 students each. “As of now, the intake is 100 seats each. We have asked for an additional 50 seats each,” he said.

Mr. Subramanian added that they have submitted a memorandum with 11 demands to the Union Health Minister.

The State has requested for sanction of another 24 urban and 26 rural primary health centres (PHC) and 500 health sub-centres (HSC) in the State. These additional centres were essential based on the population and requirement, he said.

Other demands

Strengthening of cancer care services in Tamil Nadu under the tertiary care initiative scheme at a cost of ₹447.94 crore, strengthening of neurosurgery departments, establishment of simulation and skill labs in 22 tertiary care institutions at ₹603.45 crore were also sought during the meeting.

The demand to establish a second All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) in Coimbatore was reiterated. On the progress of construction works at AIIMS, Madurai, Mr. Subramanian said that the State had taken up works for electricity connection and drinking water as asked by the AIIMS administration in Madurai.

He, along with the Health Secretary, would visit the site next week, he added.

Health Secretary P. Senthilkumar, Tamil Nadu House Resident Commissioner Ashish Kumar and National Health Mission Director, Tamil Nadu, Arun Thamburaj were present.