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Health Adviser Nurjahan Begum and Saidur Rahman, the special assistant to the chief adviser for health, had both said some substandard medical colleges would be shut down or merged with others. But the move could not be implemented due to fears of backlash and possible protests, sources said.

GOVT COLLEGES

According to official documents, the health ministry reduced a total of 355 seats across 14 government medical colleges, though new allocations elsewhere brought the net cut to 280 seats.

Twenty-five seats each were slashed at medical colleges in Dhaka, Chattogram, Mymensingh, Rajshahi, Rangpur, Netrokona, Naogaon, Magura, Chandpur, MAG Osmani in Sylhet, Sher-e-Bangla in Barishal, and Sir Salimullah in Dhaka.

Shaheed Suhrawardy Medical College lost five seats, while Habiganj Medical College saw the largest cut of 50 seats.

At the same time, the government added 75 seats across three institutions -- 20 each at Shaheed Tajuddin Ahmad Medical College in Gazipur, Tangail Medical College, and Patuakhali Medical College, officials said.

PRIVATE COLLEGES

The authorities also reduced 367 seats across 12 private medical colleges, including two where enrolment has been suspended.

The other 10 private colleges facing seat cuts are Shaheed Monsur Ali Medical College Hospital, Dhaka (15 seats), Dhaka Central International Medical College (15 seats), President Abdul Hamid Medical College, Kishoreganj (45 seats), Diabetic Association Medical College, Faridpur (40 seats), City Medical College, Gazipur (30 seats), MARKS Medical College, Dhaka (20 seats), Delta Medical College, Dhaka (15 seats), Shahabuddin Medical College, Dhaka (15 seats), Dr Sirajul Islam Medical College, Dhaka (50 seats), and MH Samorita Medical College, Dhaka (15 seats).

In addition, four private medical colleges will remain barred from new admissions as before for failing to comply with the relevant regulations. They are Aichi Medical College and Northern International Medical College in Dhaka, Northern Private Medical College in Rangpur, and Shah Makhdum Medical College in Rajshahi.