The Jharkhand government has sanctioned a massive expansion plan for two of its premier medical institutions, aiming to significantly boost medical education and healthcare services in the state. The state health department has approved comprehensive upgrades for the Shaheed Nirmal Mahto Medical College and Hospital (SNMMCH) in Dhanbad and the Mahatma Gandhi Memorial Medical College and Hospital (MGMMCH) in Jamshedpur.
Major Overhaul for SNMMCH Dhanbad
In a significant move, the department has given its nod for major upgrades at SNMMCH Dhanbad. The most notable change is the increase in undergraduate MBBS student intake from 100 to 250 seats. To support this expansion, officials confirmed that all academic, clinical, and support facilities will be upgraded.
The upgrade plan includes the construction of a new 450-bed hospital building. Additionally, the existing hospital will be renovated, the emergency block will be upgraded, and repairs will be carried out on the academic block. Medical infrastructure across all departments will be enhanced to meet the demands of the increased seat capacity.
Following National Medical Commission (NMC) standards, new hostels with separate accommodations will be built for undergraduate students, postgraduate students, junior and senior residents, and nursing staff. The project also includes developing indoor and outdoor sports facilities and connecting the existing hospital campuses with a ramp for better accessibility. The total estimated cost for the SNMMCH expansion is around Rs 700 crore.
Green Signal from Top Officials
These expansion plans received final approval during a review meeting chaired by Additional Chief Secretary Ajay Kumar Singh. Officials were directed to submit immediate reports to ensure the early start of construction. Singh also proposed a practical suggestion: designing certain postgraduate hostels to function as Outpatient Departments (OPDs) where necessary.
Parallel Expansion for MGMMCH Jamshedpur
Alongside the Dhanbad hospital, MGMMCH in Jamshedpur is set for a major transformation. The institution will now offer 250 UG seats, 150 PG seats, and 30 superspecialty (post-PG) seats. The additional chief secretary has instructed corresponding upgrades in hospital bed capacity, hostel infrastructure, and medical facilities to support this enhanced academic offering.
Furthermore, Singh reviewed plans for constructing a modern health bhawan on the Doranda campus of MGMMCH. This proposed structure, to be built in the old community building, is estimated to cost Rs 131 crore. It will house the health secretariat, directorate, and other departmental offices in a single, unified complex.
Impact and Future Prospects
This large-scale expansion is a decisive step towards addressing the shortage of medical professionals and improving healthcare infrastructure in Jharkhand. By increasing MBBS, PG, and superspecialty seats, the state aims to produce more home-grown doctors. The infrastructure upgrades promise to enhance patient care facilities, making advanced treatment more accessible to the people of the Dhanbad and Jamshedpur regions. The project, once completed, is expected to transform these colleges into major healthcare hubs for eastern India.
