Shillong: Dr Mazel Ampareen Lyngdoh, the Minister in charge of Health and Family Welfare in Meghalaya, shared significant progress in the establishment of medical colleges in Tura and Shillong. During the Budget Session’s question hour, Dr Lyngdoh informed the House about the aim to start operations at Shillong Medical College by the academic year 2025-26. This involves upskilling local specialists as faculty and utilising existing infrastructure at Ganesh Das MCH Hospital and Shillong Civil Hospital.
Dr Lyngdoh reported that 57% of the work for Tura Medical College has been completed, and efforts are underway to identify a suitable organisation for a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) for running the medical college.
However, concerns were raised by TMC President Charles Pyngrope regarding the practicality of the set timeline. He questioned whether the existing infrastructure, particularly at Ganesh Das Hospital, could meet the requirements of the Shillong Medical College by 2025-26. Dr Lyngdoh acknowledged the concerns and assured that inspections would be conducted.
The government had previously extended the timeline for Tura Medical College, with the latest extension to May 2023 to accommodate additional project components. Dr Lyngdoh explained that this extension would allow them to complete the project around June 2024.
MLA Miani D Shira raised questions about the practicality of the new timeline for Tura Medical College, set for June 2024. Dr Lyngdoh provided a detailed progress report, citing completion percentages for various project components.
Leader of Opposition Ronnie V Lyngdoh expressed concerns about parents having to take loans for sending their children to study medicine outside the state due to the absence of a medical college. Dr Lyngdoh reiterated the government’s commitment to establishing three medical colleges in the state.
In response to a query, Dr Lyngdoh shared the background of the decision to set up medical colleges, mentioning the signing of an MoU for Tura Medical College in December 2014 and subsequent developments.
At Shillong Medical College, a brownfield project, the government is utilising existing facilities at Ganesh Das and Civil Hospital, Dr Lyngdoh said. The project is in the design phase, and necessary approvals, including affiliation from NEHU, are being pursued.
Dr Lyngdoh addressed concerns about faculty shortages, stating that the government is prepared to tackle challenges and is working on a new HR policy to address human resource requirements. The government currently has 70 acres of land for Shillong Medical College, exceeding the 20 acres requested by the National Medical Commission.
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