Speaking at the convocation of Kerala University of Health Services on April 14, 2013 at Thrissur, the union health minister, Ghulam Nabi Azad said that his ministry is considering proposals to give a boost to the medical education sector, especially increasing the intake of MBBS students, during 12th Five Year Plan, beginning this year.

"The proposals under ministry of health's consideration include further relaxation in infrastructure requirements for establishment of new medical colleges. Besides that formulating guidelines for allowing district hospitals to be used for establishing medical colleges on the public private partnership (PPP) mode, increase in intake capacity from 50 or 100 seats to 100 or 150 seats respectively at UG level on completion of 10 years, and compulsory posting of one year for medical graduates at primary health centres and postgraduates at community health centres as part of their internship periods", said Mr Azad.

The minister appreciated south India in general and Kerala in particular for the rapid strides made in the health sector and having indicators such as mother mortality rate (MMR), infant mortality rate (IMR) and total fertility rate (TFR), comparable to the developed countries.

"It would not have been possible without the progressive outlook and leadership provided by successive state governments, irrespective of party affiliations.", Azad said while referring to Kerela. Asking other states in emulating the best practices of these front runner states in the health sector, he urged the rest of India to learn from them.