HYDERABAD: In a decision that will boost medical education in the state, the Medical Council of India (MCI) gave its nod to increase MBBS seats in two state-run colleges, weeks after coming down heavily on the government for poor infrastructure and shortage of manpower in these institutes. While MBBS seats were increased to 200 from the existing 150 at Gandhi Medical College (GMC), the MCI also gave the go-ahead for enhanced seats at Sri Venkateshwara Medical College (SVMC), Tirupati, from 150 to 200. The approval came after chief secretary PK Mohanty gave an undertaking to rectify the deficiencies pointed out by MCI inspectors a few months ago in these institutes.

This apart, seats at private medical colleges like SVS Medical College, Mahbubnagar, were raised from 100 to 150, while the apex body also gave permission to Kamineni Hospital to start a new medical college with 150 MBBS seats. Sources said a final decision to increase the number of seats at other state-run medical colleges including Osmania Medical College, Government Medical College, Nizamabad, and Kakatiya Medical College, Warangal, is likely to be announced by the MCI in the next few days. "We have not got any official communication from the MCI yet," said Dr Putta Srinivas, principal, Osmania Medical College.

MCI officials, while carrying out inspections, found poor manpower and infrastructure at Osmania Medical College, Gandhi Medical College and Kakatiya Medical College, two years in a row. But following repeated assurances, the MCI relented. The state government said that it urgently required enhancement of seats as the demand for MBBS course was increasing. Seats were increased at GMC after about eight long years, some officials said. "This is a boost for deserving students who would have otherwise had to opt for private medical colleges by paying hefty capitation fee that starts from a minimum Rs 40 lakh to about Rs 1 crore depending upon the name of the institute," said a senior doctor.

The approval for SVMC was also given based on an undertaking by Mohanty, assuring documentary proof of budget allocation and rectification of deficiencies before admission. After repeatedly rapped on the knuckles by MCI for ill-maintained medical colleges, the government stepped up pressure on Singareni Collieries Company Limited (SCCL) to start a medical college. And after its initial reluctance, the public sector coal mining giant said it was preparing a status paper to launch a world class medical college either in Kotahgudem or Ramagundam in partnership with Nizam Institute of Medical Science (NIMS). But the news of 100 more medical seats in state-run colleges was welcomed by experts in Hyderabad, who said the institutes have a chequered history and with guidance they can improve gradually.