District hospitals to be made medical colleges: Government

NEW DELHI: In a bid to improve manpower in the medical sector, government has taken a variety of steps including upgradation of district hospitals into medical colleges, Health Minister Harsh Vardhan informed Lok Sabha today.

The Centre has, however, not laid down any standard regarding minimum facilities to be provided at district hospitals as Health is a state subject, he said.

Vardhan said the Centre provides financial assistance to state governments to strengthen their healthcare system.

He also said there is no specific scheme under the National Health Mission for strengthening and upgradation of the existing district hospitals.

He said 200-bedded district hospitals will be upgraded to medical colleges if there are none in the area.

The existing medical colleges will be upgraded to the level of super-speciality hospitals. It will help increase the number of medicare personnel.