By Our Reporter
SHILLONG, March 3: The Leader of the Opposition, Mukul Sangma on Monday sought to know the status of the Shillong Medical College (SMC).
Raising a supplementary question, he underscored the lack of clarity about the project.
“We understand that the government intends to start from the current academic session but are we prepared enough?” he asked.
In reply, Health Minister Ampareen Lyngdoh said the government is pursuing the SMC to strengthen medical education and enhance healthcare services in the state. She said steps have been taken to start the first batch subject to the approval of the National Medical Commission.
“The Pasteur Institute is being converted into an academic block. It is a brownfield project and we did not require to build a new hospital. We looked at the available infrastructure and manpower apart from designating the research department as the academic department. These major administrative decisions had to be taken,” she said.
She added that the government now needs to follow the NMC guidelines on the number of beds.
Lyngdoh recalled that an earlier proposal for the medical college had a huge financial implication but the government did not have to make much of an investment to convert the Pasteur Institute.
“We understand the anxiousness but the department is on the job. We have done the affiliation with NEHU and looked at the requirement of professors,” she said.
Sangma interrupted and said, “I have not asked about the challenges associated with the establishment of the medical college. I have been specific about the steps completed so far to establish the medical college and start the academic session.”
At this point, Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma intervened and said, “I urge the LO to be patient and listen to the minister. There is an issue of manpower. She is explaining the steps taken and now the issue is resolved. There is an issue of space and she mentioned steps taken to address the issue of infrastructure.”
Before Lyngdoh could continue with her reply, the Question Hour came to an end.