A proposal to introduce a Common Medical Entrance Test was on Thursday officially put on hold with the Centre and the state governments deciding to have more discussions in the matter before taking any decision.
At a state health ministers’ meeting here, a resolution was passed that the matter would be discussed further to take on board the views and concerns of the states.
The Medical Council of India had issued a notification announcing nation-wide common entrance examination for admissions to medical colleges in the country which the Centre promptly withdrew following protests by southern states.
The meeting also endorsed the introduction of the Bachelor of Rural Health Care (BRHC) courses.
The Central government will also consider for inclusion in the 12th plan a major programme to support high-focus states to set up or expand medical colleges, officials said.
The three-day meet is being held here, chaired by Union health minister Ghulam Nabi Azad and attended by ministers of health and medical education from 16 states and principal secretaries, secretaries and directors of health and medical education from 28 states or Union Territories.
The meeting also resolved to assist in setting up new medical colleges in the un-served or under-served areas and give financial assistance to state government colleges for strengthening infrastructure for increased intake at under-graduate and post-graduate level.
Financial support to states to start a minimum of 50 medical schools for the BRHC course in the high focus states for the year 2011-12 will also be given. —PTI