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Ladakh Gets New Medical College with 85% ST Quota, Advanced MRI Machines

Lieutenant Governor Kavinder Gupta has announced major healthcare upgrades for Ladakh, including a new medical college with a significant 85% reservation for Scheduled Tribe students. The Union Territory has also installed three advanced Tesla MRI machines at the Kargil district hospital to enhance diagnostic capabilities. These developments are part of a broader push to strengthen medical infrastructure in the challenging high-altitude region, which includes installing oxygen chambers. The LG recently met with Prime Minister Narendra Modi to discuss these and other developmental priorities for Ladakh.

Key Points: New Medical College in Ladakh with 85% ST Reservation Announced

  • New medical college approved for Ladakh
  • 85% seats reserved for Scheduled Tribes
  • Three Tesla MRI machines installed in Kargil
  • Healthcare budget higher than national average
  • Focus on high-altitude and remote area care
3 min read

New Medical College coming up in Ladakh with 85% reservation for STs: LG Kavinder Gupta

Ladakh LG announces a new medical college with 85% ST seat reservation and installation of advanced Tesla MRI machines to boost high-altitude healthcare.

"A new medical college is also coming up there... 85% of the seats will be reserved for Scheduled Tribes. - LG Kavinder Gupta"

New Delhi, January 6

Ladakh Lieutenant Governor Kavinder Gupta stated that the Union Territory is significantly strengthening its healthcare infrastructure by upgrading hospitals, installing advanced medical equipment, and establishing a new medical college, with a special focus on serving people in high-altitude and remote areas.

Speaking on healthcare developments in Ladakh, Lieutenant Governor Gupta on Monday told ANI that three Tesla MRI machines worth approximately Rs 26 crore were installed at the Kargil district hospital. The LG emphasised that building and health infrastructure is being developed at both hospitals, which will further enhance the medical facilities in the region.

Ladakh has a total of 32 primary health centres and 288 Ayushman Arogya Mandirs. To address the challenges posed by the high altitude, oxygen chambers are being installed at various healthcare facilities, which will provide critical care to patients.

"We have two major district hospitals, and both district hospitals are well-equipped. We are striving to ensure that the latest machinery is available there. A week ago, we installed three Tesla MRI machines at our Kargil district hospital, at a cost of approximately Rs 26 crore. Building and health infrastructure is being developed at both our hospitals in Leh and Kargil. We have 32 primary health centres and 288 Ayushman Arogya Mandirs. Overall, considering the high altitude, we are also installing oxygen chambers, which cost crores of rupees... We are bringing in such machinery so that a doctor sitting in the Leh or Kargil hospital can provide consultations to patients in the remote areas at the Community Health Centres (CHCs) and Primary Health Centres (PHCs)... If we look at the average health budget for the entire country, it is 8%, but Ladakh's budget is 8.76%."

The Lieutenant Governor also announced that a new medical college will soon be established in Ladakh. "A new medical college is also coming up there... 85% of the seats will be reserved for Scheduled Tribes (STs), with all students from Ladakh. We have acquired the land for this project, and construction will begin soon at a cost of Rs 786 crore," Ladakh LG added.

Earlier, Ladakh Lieutenant Governor Kavinder Gupta met Prime Minister Narendra Modi in the national capital on Monday.

The meeting was focused on public welfare, key developmental priorities, infrastructure, connectivity, tourism, and inclusive growth in Ladakh.

In a post on X, the official handle of the Prime Minister's Office (PMO) wrote, "Lieutenant Governor of Ladakh, Shri @KavinderGupta met Prime Minister @narendramodi. lg_ladakh"Lieutenant Governor of Ladakh, Shri @KavinderGupta met Prime Minister @narendramodi."

The official handle of Ladakh KG posted on X, "Lt Governor, Shri @KavinderGupta, paid a courtesy visit to Hon'ble Prime Minister Shri @narendramodi in New Delhi. The discussions focused on public welfare, key developmental priorities, infrastructure, connectivity, tourism, and inclusive growth in #Ladakh."

- ANI

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Reader Comments

P
Priya S
A medical college in Ladakh is a dream come true for students there. No more traveling thousands of kilometers to study medicine. The 85% reservation for STs ensures local youth benefit first, which is the right approach for a sensitive border region. Jai Hind!
A
Aman W
While the infrastructure push is commendable, I hope the focus is also on retaining doctors and staff in these remote areas. Good equipment is useless without skilled personnel. The medical college must have incentives for graduates to serve in Ladakh itself.
S
Sarah B
As someone who has visited Ladakh, I saw firsthand how difficult access to healthcare can be. The telemedicine initiative mentioned—where a doctor in Leh can consult patients in remote PHCs—is brilliant. This is how technology should be used for public good.
V
Vikram M
Rs 786 crore for the medical college is a huge investment. I just hope the project is completed on time and without corruption. We've seen many announcements in the past that get delayed for years. The people of Ladakh deserve this without any further wait.
K
Kavya N
Strengthening healthcare in border areas like Ladakh is also a matter of national security. Healthy citizens are the backbone of any region. The focus on high-altitude medicine is crucial. Hope they include research on local health issues in the college curriculum.

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