SHILLONG, Dec 12: Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma on Friday paid a visit to the Shillong Medical College campus at the old Pasteur Institute in Lawmali and interacted with the first MBBS batch of the College.
He called their entry into the institution a historic moment for Meghalaya’s medical education sector and hoped that they would “lay the standards for future students.”
He described the Shillong Medical College as a very significant institution for the state, noting that he had hoped it would be inaugurated by the Prime Minister.
“While we are awaiting the formal inauguration, I did not want to wait to meet the faculty and the students,” he said.
Reflecting on the long journey that brought the college to this stage, the Chief Minister acknowledged that it had been a particularly challenging project. He expressed gratitude to former Health & Family Welfare Minister Ampareen Lyngdoh and to officials of the Health Department for the passion and dedication that enabled the project to take shape. “While we still do have many challenges ahead of us and things that needed to be done we remain steadfast in our commitments,” he said.
Sangma also thanked the in-service doctors who opted to join the institution, crediting their expertise and guidance as crucial to the college’s growth.
Addressing the students directly, he urged them not to be discouraged by difficulties they might face in a newly-established institution. “When a new thing is started there are always challenges but I assure you we are here to support you,” he said.
Health & Family Welfare Minister Wailadmiki Shylla and senior officials from the department accompanied the CM during the visit.
