By Our Reporter
SHILLONG, Oct 9: Meghalaya’s long-cherished dreams of its own medical college was finally fulfilled on Thursday with the Shillong Medical College (SMC) holding its flag-hoisting and oath-taking ceremony for the first batch of MBBS students on its campus in Pasteur Hills, Lawmali Pyllun.
The landmark event, in the presence of Chief Secretary Shakil P. Ahammed and Health Commissioner-Secretary Joram Beda, marked the start of the much-awaited SMC. Meghalaya now has 50 MBBS seats in addition to the existing 93 under the central pool.
Of these 50 seats, 42 are for Khasi-Jaintia and Garo students, while eight are for students from the all-India quota. Two of the all-India seats are vacant.
Nicola Carissa Lyngdoh Iangrai, the SMC’s first Director, described the occasion as the “happiest and proudest moment” for the faculty and staff.
“This is a historic day for all of us. What began as a vision to establish a medical college in Meghalaya has now become a reality,” she told reporters.
She explained that the ceremony was part of the foundation course, in line with National Medical Commission (NMC) guidelines, which focuses on attitude, ethics, communication, and doctor-patient relationships.
The college is preparing to commence its first MBBS classes by October 14, she added.
“This means that in a few years, the state will have dozens of new doctors trained within Meghalaya itself,” Dr. Iangrai said. “It’s not just the beginning of a college as it’s the beginning of a stronger health system for our state.”
She noted that the Pasteur Institute, earlier functioning solely as a research laboratory, had long envisioned becoming a medical college.
“Today, that dream has finally come true,” she said, highlighting the college’s motto, “Learn, Heal, and Inspire.”
The doctor said many students preferred SMC as it allows them to study close to home at an affordable cost. The fee structure, she added, is comparable to Manipur’s RIMS, Assam Medical College, and other regional institutes.
“This is an opportunity for students who cannot afford to pursue medical studies outside the state,” she stated.
The college has appointed faculty members across all 21 departments, as mandated by NMC norms, to begin the first-year MBBS course.
Dr. Iangrai said the college benefits from the existing infrastructure of the Pasteur Institute and its proximity to Ganesh Das Hospital, Civil Hospital Shillong, and MIMHANS, which already have well-established departments in various disciplines.
She stated that new hostel blocks for both boys and girls are under construction, with wardens already in residence.
“We are working to ensure smooth functioning of the institute, including food, water, and accommodation facilities,” she said.
SMC Sub-Dean, W. Sutnga expressed optimism that the college will soon expand its intake from 50 to 100 MBBS seats in the coming years.
While there is a shortage of professors in a few departments, he said the gap is being filled by associate professors and in-service doctors.
Out of the required staff, 24 of 25 assistant professors, 18 of 20 associate professors, and 25 senior resident doctors have already joined.
“Ninety-nine per cent of our teaching faculties are in-service doctors from Meghalaya, including nine professors,” he said.
“The NMC has already granted us the letter of permission to start the college, confirming that we meet all required faculty norms,” Dr Sutnga said.
He added that efforts are underway to bring in guest and visiting professors from outside the state in the near future.
He revealed that under NMC norms, every new medical college is eligible to start postgraduate (PG) courses in 21 departments.
“We are preparing to start PG courses in at least 10 departments that are fully equipped, hopefully by next year,” he added.
