Shillong, Jan 3: Chief Minister Dr. Mukul Sangma on Wednesday laid the foundation stone for construction of Tura Medical College.

The function was organized at Tura Civil Hospital in the presence of Sports & Youth Affairs Minister, Zenith Sangma and MLAs, Noverfield Marak, Dikkanchi D.Shira, Bluebell R. Sangma and other dignitaries.

Speaking on the occasion, the Chief Minister termed it a “proud and happiest moment” for achieving the much needed institution that will bring complete change in the delivery of health care system in the state.

He said that by having the medical college in the region, the challenge of providing space for aspiring young medical professionals would be able to address and at the same time provide access to better health care facilities for the people.

Highlighting hurdles that led to the delay in starting the project, the Chief Minister also voiced his concern over the problem of land acquisition for various developmental projects which compelled the State government to adopt a new policy whereby the government reciprocates to the community that donated land by way of giving jobs.

He expressed his gratitude to the Nokmaship of Doldegre and settlers of Civil Hospital compound for the gesture shown by them for the larger interest of the people as a whole.

Stating that many a times our people surrender to diseases as they cannot afford for medical treatment in hospitals outside the state, Dr. Sangma said that a medical college was necessary not just for the benefit of aspiring medical students but to take care of the gap in supply and demand in health care facilities and put in place a comprehensive health care system accessible to the people.

Tura Medical College with 100 seats will be constructed on a land measuring 100 acres at Doldegre, 8 km from Tura.

The project worth over Rs 180 crore will include construction of the college at Doldegre and upgradation of Tura Civil Hospital, which according to the Chief Minister, would be act as a “teaching hospital”.

The project was delayed for nearly five years as the earlier site located under Jewilgre and Balalgre A’king near Damalgre, was not approved by the Empowered Committee because as per the new guidelines of the Medical Council of India, a medical college should not be located more than 10 km away from the hospital.

The government had to look for alternative site and finally acquired a new site at Doldegre.

Later, the Chief Minister inspected some of the wards in the civil hospital and interacted with patients inquiring about their welfare.