DECISION: Punjab to enhance 100 MBBS seats

Chandigarh, November 22, 2012: The Punjab Government would enhance 100 seats of MBBS in each Government Medical College at Patiala and Amritsar from next year.

A decision to this effect was taken by Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal in the 30th meeting of Governing Body of Punjab Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS), Society Jalandhar held under his chairmanship here today at CMO. The board also gave nod to increase intake of 47 seats in Post graduation courses at Medical College Patiala.

In another significant decision, the board has approval to spend Rs. 32 crore for the purchase of equipment for upcoming Rs. 60 crore State-of-the-art Cancer Diagnostic Treatment Centre at Bathinda, besides setting up of a Hemophilic Diagnostic Centre at a cost of Rs. 1.2 crore at Patiala.

Badal asked the Medical Education & Research Department to setup similar Hemophilic Diagnostic Centre at other Government Medical and Dental Colleges also. The Chief Minister also directed the concerned authorities to expedite the construction work of the Rs. 5 crore Drug  De-Addiction Centre at Patiala.

Badal also approved to constitute an Ethical Committee to promote research in all the Government Medical and Dental Colleges of the state whereas Rs. 5 crore has been approved for this.

While reviewing the status of the various approved ongoing projects in Government Medical Colleges of the state, he asked to prepare a comprehensive plan for the up-gradation and strengthening of Radiotherapy unit in Government Medical College Amritsar. It was informed in the meeting that 50-bedded Drug De-Addiction Centres at Government College Amritsar and Baba Farid University of Health Sciences Faridkot had already been completed.

Prominent amongst those who were present in the meeting included Medical Education and Research Minister Chunni Lal Bhagat, Chief Parliamentary Secretary Mohinder Kaur Josh, Advocate General Punjab Ashok Aggarwal, Principal Secretary to the CM SK Sandhu, Principal Secretary Finance Satish Chandra, Special Principal Secretary to the Chief Minister KJS Cheema, Secretary Medical Education Mrs. Anjali Bhawara, Technical Advisor General (Retd.) BS Dhaliwal, Director Medical Education and Research Dr. AS Thind, Director PIMS Dr. SK Sikri, Vice Chancellor Baba Farid University of Health Sciences Dr. SS Gill besides eminent doctors Prof. KS Chugh, Prof. SBS Maan, Dr. SPS Grewal and other senior officers of the Punjab Government.