Madhya Pradesh is set to make national history with the establishment of India’s first medical college under the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model, as Chief Minister Dr. Mohan Yadav and Union Health Minister JP Nadda laid the foundation stone for the Dhar Medical College on Tuesday.
The medical college will be developed on 25 acres of land at a cost of ₹260 crore in collaboration with Swami Vivekanand Shiksha Dham Foundation. The state government has allotted the land on a symbolic lease of ₹1, reinforcing its commitment to strengthening healthcare and medical education through innovative partnerships.
A New Model for Healthcare and Medical Education
Addressing the event, Chief Minister Dr. Mohan Yadav said the PPP model brings together society and government to ensure affordable, accessible, and quality healthcare for all. He described the initiative as a landmark step toward reaching quality medical services to the last person in the queue, particularly in tribal and underserved regions.
“This is the beginning of a new chapter in India’s healthcare ecosystem. Dhar’s medical college will not only improve treatment access locally but also create opportunities for tribal youth to pursue medical careers,” the Chief Minister said.
The institution will also offer nursing and paramedical courses, strengthening the region’s healthcare workforce and reducing dependence on major cities for treatment.
Centre Applauds Madhya Pradesh’s Leadership
Union Health Minister JP Nadda termed the Dhar medical college foundation ceremony a historic moment for the country. He said Madhya Pradesh has emerged as a leader by becoming the first state to operationalise a medical college through the PPP route.
“India’s healthcare system is shifting from curative to preventive care, with strong emphasis on early detection, lifestyle changes, and integrated health services. Initiatives like this medical college will play a critical role in strengthening grassroots healthcare,” Nadda said.
He highlighted that India has seen a major expansion in medical education since 2014, with the number of medical colleges rising from 387 to 819 and MBBS seats increasing from 51,000 to over 1.29 lakh.
Expansion of Medical Infrastructure Across the State
The Dhar medical college is part of a larger plan announced earlier this year to establish new medical colleges in Betul, Katni, Dhar, and Panna under the PPP model. While Dhar and Betul have now entered the construction phase, Katni and Panna will soon follow.
Additionally, the state is preparing to start medical colleges in Bhind, Morena, Khargone, Ashoknagar, Guna, Balaghat, Tikamgarh, Sidhi, and Shajapur, significantly expanding access to medical education and healthcare services.
Healthcare Gains and Welfare Initiatives
Chief Minister Yadav noted that Madhya Pradesh had only five medical colleges in 2002–03, a number that has now risen to 33. In the last two years alone, six government medical colleges have been inaugurated, including those in tribal districts such as Singrauli and Sheopur.
He also highlighted progress under the sickle cell anemia screening programme, expansion of hospital bed capacity, approval of new doctor posts, and welfare schemes such as PM Shri Air Ambulance Service, Ayushman Bharat free treatment, and the Rahveer Yojana for road accident responders.
A Boost for Regional Development
Alongside the medical college foundation, development projects worth ₹626 crore were inaugurated and launched in Dhar district, covering education, roads, hostels, health centres, and public infrastructure. The Chief Minister said these initiatives, combined with major projects like the PM Mitra Textile Park and railway connectivity expansion, will accelerate Dhar’s economic and social growth.
A National Blueprint
The Dhar PPP medical college is being viewed as a potential blueprint for other states seeking to bridge healthcare gaps through collaborative governance. With rising demand for doctors and modern medical facilities, the project marks a significant step toward inclusive and sustainable healthcare expansion in India.
