Belagavi, 3 June

Union Health Minister JP Nadda encouraged students on Tuesday to pursue careers in mental health education and geriatrics, highlighting the importance of ongoing research to support those in need. He stressed that while ageing cannot be stopped, it can be delayed to improve quality of life, which requires continued scientific effort.

Speaking at the 15th Convocation of KLE Academy of Higher Education and Research, Nadda recalled past concerns about brain drain. Under Prime Minister Modi’s leadership, medical education has expanded significantly, with undergraduate seats increasing from 45,000 to 118,000 and postgraduate seats from 37,000 to 54,000. Over the next five years, 75,000 new medical seats will be added.

"We are going to have 75,000 extra seats in medical education. And when we say so, it's not only increasing the seats, we are also trying to see that the medical education is affordable. Medical education is accessible, medical education is for the all sections of the society," he said.

He emphasised that medical education is becoming more affordable and accessible, enabling students from modest backgrounds to pursue careers in medicine. Contrasting the 1997 health policy’s focus on tertiary care, he highlighted the 2017 policy’s comprehensive approach, covering prevention, promotion, curative, palliative, rehabilitative, and geriatric care.