157 NEW NURSING COLLEGES TO BE ESTABLISHED
SICKLE CELL ANAEMIA ELIMINATION MISSION TO BE LAUNCHED WITH UNIVERSAL SCREENING OF 7 CRORE PEOPLE IN AFFECTED TRIBAL AREAS
FACILITIES IN SELECT ICMR LABS TO BE MADE AVAILABLE TO ENCOURAGE COLLABORATIVE RESEARCH & INNOVATION BY PUBLIC AND PRIVATE SECTOR
NEW PROGRAMME ANNOUNCED TO PROMOTE RESEARCH AND INNOVATION IN PHARMACEUTICALS
DEDICATED MULTIDISCIPLINARY COURSES FOR MEDICAL DEVICES TO BE SUPPORTED IN EXISTING INSTITUTIONS

With a view to envision a prosperous and inclusive India, in which the fruits of development reach all regions and citizens, especially our youth, women, farmers, OBCs, Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes, Union Minister for Finance and Corporate Affairs, Smt Nirmala Sitharaman presented Union Budget 2023-24 in Parliament, here today.

New Nursing Colleges

In line with this vision of India@100 and Amrit Kaal, the Finance Minister announced establishment of  157 new nursing colleges in co-location with the existing 157 medical colleges, established since 2014.

Sickle Cell Anaemia Elimination Mission

Smt Nirmala Sitharaman also announced launch of Sickle Cell Anaemia Elimination Mission which will  entail awareness creation, universal screening of 7 crore people in the age group of 0-40 years in affected tribal areas, and counseling through collaborative efforts of central ministries and state governments.

ICMR Labs available for R&D:

To promote research in medical sector and innovation, the Finance Minister said that facilities in select ICMR Labs will be made available for public and private medical college faculty and private sector R&D teams.

Research & Innovation in Pharma Sector:

A new programme to promote research and innovation in pharmaceuticals will be taken up through centers of excellence, the Finance Minister announced. “We shall also encourage industry to invest in research and development in specific priority areas”, she added.

Dedicated multidisciplinary courses for medical devices:

Highlighting importance of futuristic medical technologies and high-end manufacturing in medical sector, Smt Sitharaman stated that dedicated multidisciplinary courses for medical devices will be supported in existing institutions to ensure availability of skilled manpower for futuristic medical technologies, high-end manufacturing and research.

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Health sector expansion: new nursing colleges, sickle cell elimination mission, and enhanced research infrastructure to boost medical innovation. Establishment of 157 new nursing colleges co located with existing medical colleges to expand nursing capacity, support for multidisciplinary medical devices courses in existing institutions, launch of a Sickle Cell Anaemia Elimination Mission providing awareness, counseling and universal screening of affected tribal populations, and measures to open selected ICMR lab facilities to public and private R&D alongside a new programme promoting pharmaceutical research and centres of excellence.