Jagan criticises A.P. government’s decision on seats in medical colleges

Jagan Mohan Reddy condemned Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu for requesting the Union government to reduce MBBS seats in Andhra Pradesh.Reddy expressed his disbelief that instead of utilizing the increase in MBBS seats, Naidu’s government wrote to the Centre claiming they were unnecessary.

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YSR Congress Party (YSRCP) president Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy strongly criticized Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu on September 16, 2024, for his recent letter to the Union government stating that MBBS seats were not required in the state’s medical colleges. Reddy expressed his dismay on social media platform X, labeling the decision as “appalling.” He argued that instead of leveraging the increase in MBBS seats, the government chose to reject them at a time when neighboring states were actively seeking to expand their medical education capacity.

Reddy emphasized that it is “reprehensible and immoral” for the state government to undermine efforts aimed at bolstering the public health sector. He questioned what kind of administration would decline allocated educational resources, asserting that access to quality education and healthcare is a fundamental right for all citizens. He criticized Naidu's government for potentially forcing families to sell assets to afford necessary medical education and healthcare.

Under the previous YSRCP administration, significant reforms were initiated, including the establishment of 17 new medical colleges with an investment of ₹8,480 crore. The YSRCP aimed to open one medical college per parliamentary constituency, a commitment that Reddy claims the current government is neglecting. He pointed out that five new colleges in Madanapalle, Pulivendula, Adoni, Markapuram, and Paderu were expected to add 750 MBBS seats this academic year.

Reddy raised concerns about why the Paderu college was limited to only 50 seats when classes had already commenced in five colleges during the 2023-24 academic year. He accused Naidu of going back on his electoral promise of providing free medical education and warned that the current government appeared poised to privatize medical colleges.

He concluded by asserting that if given another chance in power, the YSRCP would ensure the completion of these medical colleges and uphold its commitment to expanding access to medical education in Andhra Pradesh.