Union Minister for Health and Family Welfare, J. P. Nadda, participated in the Bhumi Pujan ceremony for two new Public–Private Partnership (PPP) model medical colleges in Dhar and Betul districts of Madhya Pradesh on December 23, 2025. The initiative marks a significant step toward strengthening medical education and healthcare delivery in remote and underserved regions, aligning with the vision of inclusive and equitable healthcare access.
PPP-Model Medical Colleges to Strengthen District Healthcare
The new medical colleges in Dhar and Betul are part of a broader plan to establish four PPP-based medical colleges in the state—Dhar, Betul, Katni, and Panna—integrated with existing district hospitals.
Under the PPP framework:
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The State Government provides up to 25 acres of land on lease
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Private partners construct academic and clinical infrastructure, including college buildings, hostels, laboratories, and residential facilities
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District hospitals are upgraded as per National Medical Commission (NMC) norms, while remaining under state administrative control
This model ensures uninterrupted public healthcare services while rapidly expanding medical education capacity.
Paradigm Shift in India’s Healthcare System
Addressing the gathering in Dhar, Shri Nadda described the occasion as a historic milestone, highlighting that India’s healthcare system has undergone a fundamental transformation over the last 11 years under the leadership of Narendra Modi.
He noted that since 2017, healthcare policy has shifted from being curative-centric to preventive, promotive, and holistic, focusing on wellness and early intervention.
Primary Healthcare and Digital Health Initiatives
The Union Health Minister underlined the role of over 1.82 lakh Ayushman Arogya Mandirs (AAMs) in delivering comprehensive primary healthcare, particularly maternal and child health services—from pregnancy care to institutional delivery and immunisation.
He also highlighted the U-WIN digital platform, which enables real-time immunisation tracking for:
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2.5 crore pregnant women
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2.5 crore children
This system is supported by ASHA and Anganwadi workers, strengthening grassroots healthcare delivery nationwide.
Improved Health Outcomes Through Early Detection
Speaking in Betul, Shri Nadda highlighted major public health gains:
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Institutional deliveries have increased to nearly 89%
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India’s decline in Maternal Mortality Ratio (MMR) is more than twice the global average
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Over 40 crore people screened for hypertension, with 6.80 crore under treatment
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Over 40 crore screened for diabetes, with 4.60 crore receiving care
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Large-scale cancer screening enabling early diagnosis and timely treatment
He emphasised that systematic screening and early detection are significantly improving health outcomes.
Unprecedented Expansion of Medical Education
The Union Health Minister highlighted the rapid growth in India’s medical education infrastructure:
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Medical colleges increased from 387 (2014) to 819
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MBBS seats more than doubled from 51,000 to over 1.28 lakh
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75,000 additional medical seats to be added by 2029 to strengthen the healthcare workforce
These reforms aim to address long-term human resource needs in healthcare.
Madhya Pradesh’s Vision for Healthcare and Youth Empowerment
Mohan Yadav, Chief Minister of Madhya Pradesh, thanked the Union Government for its support. He noted that linking medical colleges with district hospitals would:
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Optimise healthcare resources
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Expand specialist and tertiary care to underserved areas
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Reduce patient migration to metro cities
The initiative aligns with the state’s vision of “Swastha Jeevan Samriddhi ka Aadhar”, focusing on healthcare-led prosperity, local youth empowerment, and job creation in nursing, paramedical, and allied health sectors.
Dignitaries Present
The ceremony was attended by senior leaders including:
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Durga Das Uikley
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Savitri Thakur
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Rajendra Shukla
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Kailash Vijayvargiya
along with other senior state officials and public representatives.
Conclusion
The foundation of PPP-model medical colleges in Dhar and Betul marks a transformative step in bringing quality medical education and advanced healthcare to remote regions. By combining public oversight with private efficiency, the initiative not only expands healthcare access but also empowers rural youth and strengthens India’s healthcare workforce—advancing the national vision of a healthier, more resilient India.
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Source: PIB
