Chandigarh, March 5: Punjab is set to witness a significant boost in medical seats and clinical infrastructure with the government approving seven new medical colleges. Addressing a press conference at Punjab Bhawan, Health Minister Dr Balbir Singh affirmed that the initiative aims to make Punjab a hub for medical education, reducing the reliance on foreign universities.
The centrepiece of the announcement was the new government medical college in Hoshiarpur, which will feature a 300-bedded hospital and an annual intake of 100 MBBS students. The Minister maintained that the facility would be equipped with advanced diagnostics, including MRI and CT scan services, alongside specialized departments for ICU, General Surgery, and Orthopaedics.
“The sole aim is to extend necessary assistance and support to students and their families who currently look abroad for affordable medical education,” Dr Balbir Singh stated.
Regarding the timeline, the Minister declared that the Hoshiarpur project would be finished by March 2028. He also noted that the tender process for the Kapurthala government college has been completed, while colleges in Sangrur and SBS Nagar are moving forward under the PPP model.
“The government has managed to reduce the project cost from an initial ₹550 Crore estimate to ₹274 Crore, effectively saving public funds,” the Minister asserted.
Dr Balbir Singh also highlighted the progress of minority institutions, mentioning a Jain Minority College in Lehragaga and a Muslim Minority College in Malerkotla. He stated that the collective increase in capacity would ensure that the state’s healthcare system is bolstered by a steady stream of locally trained doctors. He further maintained that the upgrade of existing colleges to postgraduate levels would ensure top-tier super-specialty care remains accessible within the state.
