SHILLONG, MAY 11: Health Minister Wailadmiki Shylla on Monday said the state wants Prime Minister Narendra Modi to inaugurate Shillong Medical College, calling it a “big achievement” for Meghalaya and an aspiration of its people.
“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 told reporters.
He acknowledged that two previous dates given by the Prime Minister could not materialise. “No doubt, in the past also on two instances he has given two dates but due to unavoidable circumstances he could not come. So this time again we are waiting for all elections to get over and now again we will approach for the date,” he said.
The minister said the government hopes to hold the inauguration this year, though it depends on the Prime Minister’s availability. “We would like it to be done as soon as possible because, as you all know, the classes have started for first year,” he said.
Shillong Medical College has received permission for 50 MBBS seats for the first batch. “The Medical Council came and checked accordingly and gave permission. For now we got permission for 50 students,” Shylla said.
On Tura Medical College, the minister said the government had initially opted for the PPP mode due to challenges in recruiting faculty. “As you know, 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 said.
However, public demand led to a change. “Later on, with the opposition from people, as they have seen Shillong Medical College has started as a government college, they also want Tura to be a government-run medical college,” Shylla 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,” he added.
Advertisements for faculty and professors for Tura Medical College have already been floated. “We want to operationalise it by this year, from next season to take students. That depends on the completion of recruitment of faculty. Only after we have the numbers will we be able to say. Otherwise, the government is committed to operationalise it by next season,” he said.
Shylla said multiple tenders have been called for Shillong Medical College. “Actually, 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.
For the first year, existing facilities are adequate, he noted. “We already floated a number of tenders for Shillong Medical College like for playground and other necessities. But immediately we need a big building, a big project.”
The department has called for expressions of interest to prepare a Detailed Project Report. “I have chaired a meeting last month and we have called expression of interest for people to come and prepare the DPR,” he said.
“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.
On advanced facilities, the minister said the priority is training. “Now we are in the stage of infrastructure. I think 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.
He added that funds have been earmarked for conferences and conclaves. “We will allow our professors to go outside and attend conferences and get knowledge on new technology which are coming day by day. We are already having provision for that, but to have robotic surgery I think it still will take time,” he said.
On clinical training, Shylla said tying up with a hospital is mandatory. “All medical colleges have to tie up with a hospital. Ultimately, they have to come and do practicals in the hospital only,” he said.
Shillong Civil Hospital is part of the medical college. “If you go you will see that it is written Shillong Medical College Hospital,” he said.
The hospital will be expanded, with land secured from the Red Cross Meghalaya. “We are planning to expand it but, as you know, it is already functional, so it is very challenging given the location,” he said.
“Thankfully to the Red Cross Meghalaya, where the Chief Minister last time visited the Centre, 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. We will accommodate them also and the area will be given to Shillong Civil Hospital to expand.”
