Amid a surge in NEET applicants, the Karnataka government has formally appealed to the National Medical Commission (NMC) to expand the number of undergraduate and postgraduate medical seats across the country.
At the graduation ceremony for the 2019 batch of Sri Atal Bihari Vajpayee Medical College and Research Institute, Minister for Medical Education Sharan Prakash Patil underscored the urgent need for reform.
“Over five lakh students take NEET each year, but there are only about one lakh seats. This imbalance is alarming,” he said.
Calling the situation a national concern, Patil noted that Indian-trained doctors serve not just India, but the global community. A proposal has been sent to the NMC seeking 800 new UG and 600 PG seats for Karnataka beginning this academic year.
Reaffirming the state’s commitment to healthcare, Patil said:
“We plan to build a medical college in every district, each with a hospital, trauma centre, cancer unit, and super-specialty facilities.”
This initiative, approved by the Chief Minister, aims to empower students from economically weaker backgrounds to pursue medicine under government support.
Addressing the gathering, NMC Chairperson Dr. B N Gangadhara pointed out a global shortage of over 30 lakh doctors and encouraged youth to consider careers in medicine.
“Indian doctors are globally respected due to their academic strength and language skills,” he said.
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