Private Doctors to Provide Treatment at Primary and Community Health Centers
The government is taking two major steps to address the shortage of doctors in the state. First, private doctors will be contracted to provide services at Primary Health Centers (PHCs) and Community Health Centers (CHCs). They will be called upon as needed and will be paid a remuneration for their services. The second step is that doctors who graduate with MD/MS degrees from government and private medical colleges will receive the same salary as specialist doctors during their bond service period.
To implement these changes, a proposal will be brought to the cabinet for changes in the terms. Chief Minister Mohan Yadav gave these directions during a review meeting with the Department of Public Health and Medical Education. Currently, PG doctors receive a salary of ₹59,000, while during their PG training, they are paid a stipend of ₹77,000.
The CM also directed the development of a district as a Medical Tourism Hub and instructed the expansion of the Ayushman Bharat Scheme to ensure more beneficiaries. He directed that hospitals not yet included in the Ayushman scheme should also be brought under it.
Addressing Doctor Shortage and Improving Services
The recruitment process for filling doctor vacancies should be expedited, and efforts should be made to ensure that bonded doctors continue their services within the state. To attract doctors to remote and tribal areas, an attractive remuneration package will be provided. The meeting was attended by Deputy CM Rajendra Shukla, Minister of State Narendra Shivaji Patel, and Chief Secretary Anurag Jain.
Private Hospitals and Cesarean Complaints
The Chief Minister raised concerns about unnecessary cesarean operations in private hospitals and directed the authorities to strictly control such practices. He also addressed complaints about ambulance drivers forcing patients to be taken to private hospitals and instructed a ban on such practices. Officials reported that over 84,000 cardiac surgeries have been conducted in government hospitals over the past two years, and 38 deceased donors were given a Guard of Honor.
Cardiac Labs and Medical Colleges Development
Deputy CM Rajendra Shukla outlined several major initiatives under the CM Care Scheme. By 2028, government medical colleges and cardiac labs will be established in Rajgarh, Mandla, Chhatarpur, Ujjain, Damoh, and Budhni. The aim is to reduce the maternal mortality rate to 100 per million live births within this period. A ₹41.07 crore work plan for strengthening food administration has been approved by the FSSAI for 2025-26.
A five-year work plan for drug administration, including lab construction and other facilities, amounting to ₹211 crore, has been sent to the Central Drug Standard and Control Organization. Additionally, four new medical colleges are set to be established under the PPP mode in Katni, Dhar, Panna, and Betul, with the ground-breaking ceremony soon to be conducted by Union Health Minister JP Nadda.
Healthcare Infrastructure Enhancements
Cancer Treatment: New state-of-the-art dual energy linear accelerator machines will be purchased for medical colleges in Indore, Jabalpur, Rewa, and Gwalior, with a budget of ₹200 crore. Brachytherapy machines worth ₹7 crore each will also be purchased for Indore, Rewa, Bhopal, and Sagar.
CT Scans and MRIs: CT and MRI machines are being installed at medical colleges in Bhopal, Indore, Jabalpur, Rewa, and Sagar. Similar machines will also be purchased for Gwalior, Ratlam, and Vidisha medical colleges.
New District Hospitals: New district hospitals are being constructed in Maheer, Mauganj, and Pandurna. The approval for these projects has been granted.