New Delhi: Under the Pradhan Mantri Swasthya Suraksha Yojana (PMSSY), the Government has taken up upgradation of 13 existing medical college institutions in its first phase at a central contribution of Rs.100 Crore each and 6 medical college institutions in the second phase, at a central contribution of Rs.125 Crore each. The upgradation broadly envisages improving health infrastructure through construction of Super Speciality Block/Trauma Centre etc. and procurement of medical equipment for existing as well as new facilities. The upgradation projects are being implemented by the Ministry directly. Out of 13 institutions in the first phase of PMSSY, civil work at 5 medical colleges, viz. Thiruvananthapuram Medical College; Government Mohan Kumaramangalam Medical College & Hospital, Salem; Government Medical College, Bangalore; NIMS, Hyderabad; and SGPGIMS, Lucknow have been completed.

Central Government has also a scheme for strengthening and upgradation of State Government medical colleges by way of one time grant of Rs.1350 Crores under a new Centrally Sponsored Scheme (CSS) with funding pattern of 75% by Central Government and 25% by State Government for starting new Post Graduate disciplines and increasing PG seats. During 2009-10, ten Government medical colleges were granted Rs. 16.00 crores and in the financial year 2010-11 funds of Rs. 225.00 crores were released to 36 government medical colleges.

The above information was given by the Union Minister of Health & Family Welfare Ghulam Nabi Azad in a written reply to a question in the Lok Sabha today.