Assam Aims to Increase MBBS Seats to 4,000 by 2031, Says Chief Minister Sarma

Guwahati, September 23 (Daily Kiran) : Assam is set to significantly expand its medical education capacity. Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma announced plans to increase the number of MBBS seats in the state to 4,000 by 2031.

This announcement was made during the inauguration of the 750-bed Baba Baidyanath Medical Trust Hospital in Deoghar, Jharkhand, on Wednesday. Currently, Assam has 16 medical colleges that produce approximately 2,200 doctors each year.

Sarma highlighted the government’s ambition to establish an additional 32 medical colleges, alongside the existing All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) and Employees’ State Insurance Corporation (ESIC) Medical College in the state. He outlined a long-term strategy aimed at expanding medical education and increasing the availability of trained doctors.

Historically, Assam’s medical education infrastructure has been limited, with its first medical college established in the 1950s, followed by another in the 1960s and a third in the 1970s. Despite a population of around 3.5 million, the state had only three medical colleges, producing just 300 doctors annually, leading to a significant shortage in healthcare professionals.

However, recent expansions have led to a notable increase in the number of trained doctors. Assam now produces about 2,200 doctors each year, a substantial rise from the previous figure of around 350.

To complement the increase in MBBS seats, Sarma emphasized the need for job opportunities for the growing number of doctors. He referenced the latest state budget, which announced the deployment of two doctors at each of Assam’s 5,000 sub-health centers.

The expansion of medical colleges and MBBS seats is expected to strengthen the medical education system and improve the availability of healthcare professionals throughout the state.