Christian Medical College (CMC) Vellore is set to establish a new medical college and expand its teaching hospital at its Chittoor campus in Andhra Pradesh, following a Rs 500 crore grant from the Azim Premji Foundation. Announced on Wednesday, October 9, the grant will support the upgrade of the existing 120-bed hospital into a 422-bed teaching hospital, according to a report by The New Indian Express.
This expansion is part of CMC Vellore’s mission to address healthcare disparities in India by incorporating a unique MBBS curriculum focused on primary-cum-secondary healthcare (PSHC). The college aims to train general physicians who can provide quality primary and secondary care, especially in underserved regions.
Dr. Vikram Mathews, Director of CMC Vellore, expressed gratitude for the Azim Premji Foundation’s support, stating, “Our vision is to create a model for relevant medical education, healthcare delivery, research, and outreach at the Chittoor campus, tailored to the financial, social, and resource challenges of our country. We are deeply thankful to the Azim Premji Foundation for their invaluable support as CMC Vellore approaches its 125th anniversary in 2025,” as quoted by Edex Live.
The Chittoor campus, which began offering allied health science courses and a College of Nursing five years ago, will benefit from the new medical college’s focus on producing well-trained physicians and improving healthcare infrastructure. Dr. Solomon Sathishkumar, Principal of CMC Vellore, emphasized that the new institution will serve as a national resource for healthcare education.
The partnership with the Azim Premji Foundation is a significant boost to CMC’s efforts to create accessible, affordable healthcare for the region while fostering advancements in medical education and research. As CMC Vellore approaches its 125th anniversary in 2025, this development marks another milestone in its service to the nation.
