By Our Reporter
SHILLONG, May 26: Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma on Tuesday the state government has no intention to hand over the Tura Medical College and Hospital (TMCH) to any private entity completely.
He asserted that the college-hospital will remain a government property but a private party will manage it as recruiting doctors and other specialists for the college will be difficult due to a lack of qualified professionals in the state.
“A majority of the seats in the college will be reserved for Meghalaya students under the state quota, while a few seats will be allotted to the private party under the management quota, enabling them to manage the administration and salaries of the medical college faculty. The hospital will function under the state Health Department,” Sangma told a gathering at Mendipathar.
He said the academic of the TMCH is expected to start in 2026-27 with National Medical Commission (NMC) compliance, faculty appointments, and inspections scheduled accordingly.
“Managing a medical college requires strict adherence to the guidelines of the Medical Council of India, including having faculty members with the required experience,” he said.
The Chief Minister said the government decided to partner with a private player with limited and defined roles after learning from the difficulties faced while recruiting professionals for the Shillong Medical College.
“The private player will be onboarded only for managing the academic part of the TMCH under the public-private-partnership, or PPP, framework,” he said.
Sangma said that under the PPP model, the private player will be responsible for ensuring academic functionality and quality by meeting the NMC’s Teaching Experience Qualification norms.
“Although the private partner will have some flexibility, the fees even for students admitted through the management quota will be regulated under the Meghalaya Private Medical Institutions Ordinance, 2024, and monitored by the Fee Regulatory Committee,” he said.
He further said that the chosen private player will pay an annual lease rental of Rs 1 crore to the state government for use of the infrastructure. The money will be ring-fenced for salaries and upkeep of government staff and facilities.
“There will be no capitation fees and the approved fee structure will remain valid for three academic years, ensuring predictability and affordability for students,” the Chief Minister said.
He said the government will reserve the right to review and, if required, take over the operations in the future when conditions permit.
The PPP model, he insisted, will ensure public accountability, transparency, and ownership while leveraging private expertise in the interim.