By Our Reporter
SHILLONG, Aug 24: Union Minister of State for Health & Family Welfare, Bharati Pravin Pawar said the Centre is will increase the number of MBBS seats in the prestigious NEIGRIHMS from 50 to 100 from next year.
Pawar, who is on a two-day visit to Meghalaya, paid a visit to NEIGRIHMS on Thursday. She said they are expecting some good doctors for the institute as the Centre is trying to conduct interviews to fill the vacancies in the premier institute which witnessed an exodus of doctors to AIIMS, Guwahati and other institutes in recent times.
Stating that the government is focusing on strengthening tertiary care through different Central government schemes, she said the Centre provided Rs 600 crore to NEIGRIHMS till date to develop the medical college and nursing colleges.
In addition, the Minister said, the Centre provided Rs 480 crore last year for the structuring of the institute and that the amount was increased to Rs 520 crore this year.
Pawar reviewed different schemes and projects under National Health Mission (NHM), Meghalaya which received Rs 600 crore in last two years from the Centre. This is in addition to Rs 25 crore and Rs 117 crore provided by the Centre under Emergency COVID relief fund.
Meghalaya is receiving Rs 150 crore under the 15th Finance Commission. The state will also get around Rs 150 crore in next four years to improve its health infrastructure.
The Minister will visit East Jaintia Hills, Khliehriat on Friday and review various CSS at the Deputy Commissioner’s office. She will also visit Anganwadi centres, hospitals and schools there.
