By Our Reporter
SHILLONG, May 17: The Vice Chancellor of the Jaipur-based Mahatma Gandhi University of Medical Science and Technology, Achal Gulati said Meghalaya needs to have its medical college to create opportunities for the youth who will serve the state after completing their MBBS degree.
Speaking at the orientation programme for specialist doctors identified for teaching faculty roles in the upcoming Shillong Medical College here on Friday, he said Meghalaya needs 300-400 MBBS seats per year by the National Medical Commission (NMC) standards but has only 50 now.
“Meghalaya has only one medical college in the form of NEIGRIHMS. Therefore, there is a need to set up more medical colleges in the state,” Dr Gulati, a former additional director of the central-sector general health services, said.
He said there is a need for constant support from all the doctors working with the state government to achieve the ambition of setting up the medical college.
Dr Gulati said India currently has 706 medical colleges from which 1.8 lakh doctors pass out every year.
“In the eight-sister states, we have only 2,750 seats for a population of 51.6 million. This is a very low profile. We need to create more medical colleges in the region,” he said.
NEIGRIHMS director, Nalin Mehta said there are many new medical colleges in the existing hospitals.
“We have a similar situation here. This may lead to a lot of tribulation since many people may not be keen to teach, especially in hospitals that do not have senior residency, which is a pre-requisite of the NCM, formerly Medical Council of India,” Mehta said.
Stating that it does mean that the doctors who are working with the state government cannot do it, he said he is ready to offer a position of senior residency in the department where there is a requirement for people from the state.
“We already have a few who are keen to join NEIGRIHMS in the position of senior resident. Two doctors have already joined. NEIGRIHMS is ready to provide hand-holding for the upcoming Shillong Medical College,” Dr Mehta said.
He said senior physicians and surgeons should not be disheartened if they do qualify for teaching and should support their younger teammates appointed as senior residents, assistant professors, associate professors, and full-fledged professors.
The state Department of Health and Family Welfare organised the orientation programme to clarify the roles and responsibilities within the medical college and hospital, specifically for the teaching faculty. The programme is envisaged to outline expectations regarding teaching, research, clinical duties, administrative tasks, and professional development.