In order to streamline the administrative functions and improving efficiency, the Madhya Pradesh state cabinet announced the merger of the Public Health and Family Welfare Department with the Medical Education Department. Minister for Urban Administration, Kailash Vijayvargiya, explained that the integration would eliminate the previous lack of coordination between the two departments.
After the merger, the newly formed department will be known as the Public Health and Medical Education Department. Minister Vijayvargiya emphasized that consolidating both departments under a single minister and principal secretary would lead to more effective and coordinated efforts.
The state government release highlighted several anticipated benefits, including the ability for medical colleges to focus on critical and specialized treatments alongside medical education. The move is expected to facilitate better monitoring of infant mortality rates and maternal mortality rates. Additionally, the integration will allow for the application of best practices from medical colleges to health centers and simplify the affiliation of district hospitals with medical colleges.
Furthermore, the cabinet granted approval for an amendment to the provisions of the Madhya Pradesh Medical University Act, 2011. The amendment entails expanding the responsibilities of the University of Medical Sciences to include subjects beyond nursing and paramedical courses. Nursing and paramedical courses will now be conducted through other universities established by the higher education department.
Additionally, the cabinet unveiled plans to establish a Prime Minister’s College of Excellence in every district, in line with the National Education Policy. Existing colleges will be upgraded for this purpose, with the approval of 1845 academic posts and 387 non-academic posts across the selected colleges.
