Editor,
It seems that there is no end to the controversies surrounding the ambitious initiative of the Government of Meghalaya to set up two medical colleges in the state . The site initially selected for the construction at Garo Hills did not meet the mandatory requirements and a fresh site was chosen much later which caused delay . The construction of the other medical college at Shillong is delayed too since the shifting of the existing TB hospital at Jhalupara to make way for the construction of the college at the site is held up . As reported lately the almost completed TB hospital building at Umsawli is not as per the strict specifications required for a centre treating tuberculosis and that the number of beds is well below the intended requirement and all these will require necessary rectification which require additional funds and more time for completion .
Controversies and delays apart, the intention of the previous state government to set up two medical colleges at a time, though impressive, seems superfluous. It is doubtful that a state with limited resources could sustain both medical colleges and make them viable enterprises in the long run .Secondly, there might be the difficulty of recruiting or retaining adequate quality faculty members throughout for both colleges – a situation which seems to occur even in well established government medical colleges in the country. Inadequate faculty members will affect the delivery standard.
The intention to establish a medical college in the heart of Shillong is also contentious. For a start it involves shifting of an existing TB hospital which by virtue of its history and long existence could instead be a heritage site with proper upkeep. The proposed college would also increase vehicle flow of visitors which will add to the city’s traffic congestion while it can also strain the overstretched civic amenities of the city. The limited space available may also hinder the college future expansion needs.
With controversies and delays dogging the initiative and with the hovering apprehension of adverse consequences of it coming short of the expectations if accomplished there perhaps could be scope for review particularly if nothing specific to these college has happened on the ground so far . No doubt commitments or agreements must have been made in the process of establishing these colleges but it might not be the first time that government rescinds from such obligations if it chooses to do so and it could be worthwhile if viewed from the long term beneficial and productive results that could come with fresh and judiciously planned initiatives. The Umsawli building can be alternatively utilized for other ever demanding structures for health purposes.
Conversely, it would perhaps be pragmatic to get one college up and going first and if so decided all irrelevant considerations while choosing the site for the college are to be set aside. A favorable site is one where sufficient land is available and which is close to a highway , airport and railhead to facilitate flow of students, faculties or visiting experts from outside also and for facilitating flow of inputs for future construction and expansion needs. Subject to land availability a site close to Nongpoh will have these advantages and the existing Civil Hospital at Nongpoh would justify establishing of the medical college close by.
While it could be awkward for one to question the decision of those who govern us, however, the practice of democracy depends on greater use of informed public reasoning to play a vital role in the transformation of policies on issues of public importance. In this case “ medical college “ relates to health and there is nothing more important than health for human well being and the quality of life Therefore it perhaps calls for a more democratic engagements and calling out for opinions on the contentious issues of these proposed medical colleges and on other touchy matters related to health care services . Silence on these would instead contribute to health remaining a protracted problem for the State of Meghalaya.
Yours etc.,
K L Tariang,
Via email
Selection criteria to NEHU PG Courses
Editor,
Every year the different departments in NEHU conduct entrance tests for getting admission into the different PG courses. Some departments conduct the admissions in a detailed manner but others just display the list of admitted students in the NEHU website without showing the details of how the students got admitted. The students who are applying for admission into different PG courses in NEHU would like to know whether the entrance test is the sole criteria for getting admission? Will the two hours of multiple choice entrance test carry more weightage than the three years of hard work? Will the three years of hard work in the undergraduate exams go to waste? If so, then there is no point in doing well in the NEHU undergraduate exams. We suggest that if entrance test is there at all then 60-70% weightage should be given from the final UG results, 30-40% should be from the entrance test and considerations should be given for ST/SC status as well. We suggest that every NEHU department should display the details of how every student got admitted i.e. showing the percentile scores from the final UG exam, entrance test as well as from ST status and display it on the NEHU website as done in some of the departments.
Secondly, according to NEHU prospectus 50% of the seats should definitely go to the students who are domiciled in Meghalaya. So, this is another point that NEHU should take care of. Thirdly, if there are ST/SC students who are qualified to be in the Open category based on the UG results and entrance test, then they should not be deprived of being selected in that manner.
Yours etc..
Name withheld on request