Health Minister Announces Rs 600 Crore Plan for MGM Expansion
Key Points:
- State to hire specialist doctors from Bengaluru, Kerala and Tamil Nadu
- MGM Medical College expansion targets 250 MBBS, 150 PG seats
- MRI, CT scan facilities to begin soon at MGM and Sadar hospitals
JAMSHEDPUR – The Jharkhand government is turning to other states to address a shortage of specialist doctors at its government hospitals, Health Minister Dr Irfan Ansari said on Tuesday. He said the health department has begun efforts to bring experienced specialists from Bengaluru, Kerala and Tamil Nadu to the state, with teams visiting these states to make direct contact with doctors.
Speaking to reporters at the Circuit House in Jamshedpur, Ansari said increasing the availability of specialist doctors remains a priority for the government. He indicated that the state may revise pay scales significantly to attract doctors, with provisions being made to offer specialists a monthly salary of up to three lakh rupees if required.
The minister said work is underway to develop Jamshedpur into the state’s leading medical centre, with plans covering treatment, diagnostics, medical education and digital health services rather than hospital expansion alone.
A plan worth around 600 crore rupees has been prepared for the expansion of MGM Medical College and Hospital, of which 400 crore rupees has already been released, Ansari said. The expansion aims to raise MBBS seats to 250 and postgraduate seats to 150 once completed.
The government is also preparing to increase medical seats at RIMS and other medical colleges across the state, which officials said would help produce specialist doctors within Jharkhand in the coming years.
Ansari expressed concern after learning that only one ventilator was currently operational at MGM Hospital. He said he had discussed the issue with the deputy commissioner and would review the matter fully after returning to Ranchi. Hospital management has sent a proposal to the health department for 50 new ventilators, and the minister said necessary action on the proposal would be taken soon, along with directions to repair non-functional lifts at the hospital.
On allegations of negligence in treatment, Ansari said cases linked to patient deaths at MGM would be investigated, and action would be taken against responsible staff if negligence is established. He added that the process of installing MRI and CT scan machines at MGM and Sadar Hospital is in its final stage, which would reduce patients’ dependence on private centres for expensive diagnostic tests.
The health department has also entered into an agreement with Google to develop a digital health system linking patient health records, digital health IDs and information on hospitals and healthcare workers, Ansari said. He added that the government is pushing for greater use of artificial intelligence in healthcare, including smart healthcare services, emergency response and providing health information to patients in their own language.
