New Delhi, Jan 5: The Union Territory of Ladakh is set to get a new medical college with 85 per cent seats reserved for Scheduled Tribes, as part of a broader push to strengthen healthcare infrastructure in the high-altitude region, Lieutenant Governor Kavinder Gupta said on Monday.
Speaking about healthcare developments in Ladakh, the Lieutenant Governor said the proposed medical college will cater exclusively to students from the region and will be developed at an estimated cost of Rs 786 crore. He said land for the project has already been acquired and construction work will begin soon, marking a major milestone in improving access to medical education and healthcare services in Ladakh.
Highlighting ongoing upgrades, Gupta said the administration is investing heavily in modernising hospitals and equipping them with advanced medical technology. He informed that three Tesla MRI machines, costing around Rs 26 crore, have been installed at the district hospital in Kargil to enhance diagnostic capabilities. He added that both district hospitals in Leh and Kargil are being upgraded in terms of buildings and health infrastructure to improve service delivery.
The Lieutenant Governor said Ladakh currently has 32 primary health centres and 288 Ayushman Arogya Mandirs, ensuring a wide network of primary healthcare services. Given the unique challenges posed by high altitude and difficult terrain, oxygen chambers are also being installed at various healthcare facilities to provide critical care, he said.
Gupta further said that efforts are underway to improve access to specialist consultations in remote areas through the use of advanced medical equipment and telemedicine. Doctors based in district hospitals in Leh and Kargil will be able to provide consultations to patients at community health centres and primary health centres located in far-flung areas, he added.
Referring to budgetary support, the Lieutenant Governor said Ladakh’s health budget allocation stands at 8.76 per cent, higher than the national average of around 8 per cent, reflecting the administration’s focus on strengthening healthcare in the Union Territory.
Earlier in the day, Lieutenant Governor Kavinder Gupta met Prime Minister Narendra Modi in the national capital. The meeting focused on public welfare, key developmental priorities, infrastructure, connectivity, tourism and inclusive growth in Ladakh.
