National Desk, 15th August: On the occasion of India’s 78th Independence Day, Prime Minister Narendra Modi unveiled an ambitious plan to add 75,000 new medical seats across the country over the next five years. Addressing the nation from the Red Fort, Modi underscored the pressing issue of limited medical education opportunities in India, which often forces students, especially those from middle-class families, to seek costly education abroad.
Highlighting the government’s efforts over the past decade, Modi pointed out that the number of medical seats in India has nearly doubled from 51,348 in 2014 to 1,07,948 in 2023, marking a significant 110% increase. Additionally, the number of medical colleges has surged by 82%, with the count rising from 387 in 2014 to 704 in 2023.
The Prime Minister emphasized that achieving a “Viksit Bharat” (Developed India) must go hand in hand with creating a “Healthy Bharat.” He pointed to the government’s ongoing focus on improving healthcare infrastructure and enhancing nutrition across the country as part of this broader vision.
Expanding medical education, according to Modi, is crucial to meeting the growing demand for healthcare professionals and reducing the necessity for Indian students to pursue medical education abroad. This initiative is seen as a pivotal step toward building a stronger, healthier nation, aligned with India’s developmental goals.
Read More: India Celebrates 78th Independence Day: PM Modi Addresses Nation from Red Fort