Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, July 21: The Indian Dental Association (IDA), Jammu branch has appealed to Union Minister Dr Mansukh Mandaviya to approve an Employees’ State Insurance Corporation (ESIC) medical and dental college for Jammu.
Dr Nipun Gupta, president and Dr Vibha Raina, secretary of IDA Jammu, expressed surprise that while ESIC recently approved 30 new medical colleges across the country-10 in October 2024 and 20 more in April 2025-none were sanctioned for Jammu. This expansion is part of the Centre’s plan to add 75,000 new medical seats in five years, as announced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his 2024 Independence Day address.
Highlighting the rapid industrial growth in J&K post the abrogation of Article 370, the IDA cited the surge in businesses, industries and workers in the UT. Lt Governor Manoj Sinha recently revealed that industrial proposals worth nearly Rs 60,000 crore are in the pipeline.
The IDA suggested upgrading the existing ESIC Model Hospital in Bari Brahmana into a full-fledged medical and dental college, stating it would improve healthcare access, generate jobs, and provide local students opportunities for MBBS and BDS education within Jammu.
Follow our WhatsApp channel
