SHILLONG, MAY 11: Meghalaya is seeking a fresh date from Prime Minister Narendra Modi to inaugurate Shillong Medical College, with Health Minister Wailadmiki Shylla saying the state wants the formal opening held this year now that first-year MBBS classes have begun.
“It is the aspiration of the people of Meghalaya to have its own medical college. It is a big achievement for the state, so we want the Prime Minister to inaugurate it,” Shylla said on Monday.
The minister noted that two earlier dates did not work out.
“In the past also, on two instances he has given two dates but due to unavoidable circumstances he could not come,” he said.
“So, this time again we are waiting for all elections to get over and now again we will approach for the date.”
While the final call rests with the Prime Minister’s Office, Shylla said the state is keen to move quickly.
“We would like it to be done as soon as possible because the classes have started for first year,” he said.
The National Medical Commission has cleared 50 MBBS seats for the inaugural batch.
“The Medical Council came and checked accordingly and gave permission. For now we got permission for 50 students,” he said.
On Tura Medical College, Shylla said the government had initially chosen the public-private partnership route because of faculty constraints.
“Even getting faculty for 50 students is also very challenging. For Tura it is 150, that’s why we had opted for PPP mode,” he explained.
But sentiment shifted once Shillong Medical College began as a government institution. “Later on, people saw Shillong Medical College has started as government, they also want Tura to be a government-run medical college,” he said.
“We tried to explain but people still want it as a government medical college. As we believe it is for the people, we thought we should give it a try and we have decided it will be a government medical college,” Shylla said.
The recruitment process is underway. “We have floated advertisements for faculty and professors for Tura Medical College,” he said. The goal is to admit students from the next academic season, subject to hiring. “The government is committed to operationalise it by next season,” he added.
Addressing infrastructure, Shylla said several tenders have already been issued for Shillong Medical College, including for a playground and other immediate needs. “There are a number of tenders that have been called because we know it is a big project. A lot of infrastructure is needed,” he said.
A larger facility is in the pipeline.
“Immediately we need a big building, a big project,” he said, adding that the department called for expressions of interest last month to prepare a Detailed Project Report.
“The Chief Minister has assured me to get the DPR as soon as possible. Maybe we cannot do it in one go but we will do it in a phased manner because we need big infrastructure,” Shylla said.
For now, the focus is on building capacity rather than high-end equipment. “Talking about having robotic surgery and all, now what is important is that we give knowledge, we give that exposure to our doctors, professors, students,” he said.
Funds have been set aside for conferences and training to keep faculty updated on new technology. “To have robotic surgery I think it still will take time,” he added.
Shylla confirmed that Shillong Civil Hospital is the teaching hospital for the medical college.
“All medical colleges have to tie up with a hospital. Ultimately, they have to come and do practical’s in the hospital only,” he said.
“If you go you will see that it is written Shillong Medical College Hospital.”
Expansion is planned but constrained by space. “We are planning to expand it but, as you know, it is already functional, so it is very challenging given the location,” he said.
Land for expansion has been secured through the Red Cross Meghalaya. “The Chief Minister last time visited the Centre and they have agreed to give the land for Shillong Civil Hospital to expand,” Shylla said.
“We have already prepared the DPR and very soon we will come out with a tender. Area will be given to Shillong Civil Hospital to expand.”
