Maharashtra Governor and Chancellor of Universities CH Vidyasagar Rao on Tuesday mooted a proposal of creating additional 30,000 MBBS seats in the country in a year at no cost to the Government, by introducing MBBS course in private and charitable trust-run hospitals in the country.
Addressing the fourth Special Convocation of the Maharashtra University of Health Sciences (MUHS), the Governor alluded to a recently published article by cardiologist Dr Devi Shetty and said that Dr Shetty had made an important suggestion about creating 30,000 additional seats in private and charitable trust-run hospitals in the country
“There are 330 private or trust hospitals in India with 300 to 800 beds conducting postgraduate training under the National Board of Examinations (NBE). Dr Shetty feels that by introducing MBBS programme in these hospitals with 100 seats per hospital, we can add over 30,000 MBBS seats in less than a year, at no cost to government. I think the suggestion needs due consideration in Maharashtra,” the Governor said.
At the convocation held at the State-run Sahyadri Guest House at Malbar Hill in south Mumbai, the Governor conferred the D.Litt (Honoris Causa) on renowned Social activists Dr Abhay Bang and Dr Rani Bang.
Bangs were honoured by the Governor for their health care services in the tribal areas in the underdeveloped district of Gadchiroli in eastern Maharashtra. Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, Minister of Medical Education Girish Mahajan, Vice Chancellor of the MUHS Dr Deelip Mhaisekar were prominent those present.
For almost four decades, Dr Abhay Bang, a recipient of prestigious state award Maharashtra Bhushan, and his wife Dr Rani Bang have been living and working in the midst of the people, mostly the poorest and marginalized tribals. They have been striving to realize the goal of ‘Arogya Swaraj’, by helping rural communities to achieve freedom from disease and dependence.
Bangs have done exemplary work in the field of community health, de-addiction, rural social up-liftment and home based newborn care among the poorest people.
“Dr Abhay Bang and Dr Rani Bang are the true followers of the Hippocratic Oath in letter and spirit. I congratulate them for their outstanding work for the rural poor and tribals. I want to tell them that MUHS is proud of you and Maharashtra is proud of you,” the Governor said, while addressing the gathering after bestowing the honour on Bang couple.
Quoting the 2011 census, the Governor said: “India has 104 million elderly people having age of 60 and above. .. India will have 340 million elderly people in 2050. Which means, India alone will have an elderly population which is more than the total population of the United States of America !!.” Rao said.
