Shillong, Oct 9: The Shillong Medical College recently held a flag hoisting and oath-taking ceremony to mark the beginning of its foundation course, as per the norms of the National Medical Commission (NMC).

The ceremony was attended by Chief Secretary Shakil Ahmed, Commissioner and Secretary of the Health and Family Department Joram Beda, and other dignitaries.

The Director of Shillong Medical College, Dr. Nicola Carissa Lyngdoh Iangrai, said that the 80-hour course includes a mentor-mentee program, attitude-ethics, communication, and doctor-patient relationship training to teach students the values of being a doctor.

Dr. Iangrai informed that classes for the first batch of 50 students will begin on October 14, with plans to increase the student capacity to 100 in the coming years.

She also said that there is shortage of professors, the college has nine professors and 24 in-service doctors as assistant professors, with plans to start postgraduate courses in the future.

The Director said that the college is utilizing existing facilities, including the Maternal and Children Hospital and Pasteur Institute at Lawmali, Civil Hospital, and MIMHANS, to provide quality medical education.

Dr. Iangrai also expressed optimism about the college’s potential to enhance healthcare infrastructure in Meghalaya, despite initial challenges.