M’laya’s first govt-run medical college begins session

Meghalaya’s first government-run medical college, Shillong Medical College, began its academic session on Thursday with a flag hoisting and oath taking ceremony here at Lawmali, marking a significant milestone for the state.
Director of the Shillong Medical College Nicola Carissa Lyngdoh Iangrai said that the flag hoisting was held as per the National Medical Commission (NMC) norms to start the foundation course of 80 hours.
The NMC approval and issuance of a Letter of Permission (LOP) in accordance with the NEET-UG timeline. The Council has granted 50 MBBS seats.
“The foundation course will consist of a mentor – mentee programme, attitude-ethics, communication and doctor-patient relationship, among other things. The formal classes of the MBBS course would begin from October 14,” Iangrai said.
During the flag hoisting ceremony, Chief Secretary Shakil Ahmed, Commissioner and Secretary Health and Family Department, Joram Beda, Director Dr. Nicola Carissa Lyngdoh Iangrai, Dr. W Sutnga Sub -Dean of the Medical College, the first batch of students and faculty members other dignitaries were present.
She said the college has an intake of 50 students, but there are possibilities that the number of seats would be increased in the years to come.
Pointing out that one of the biggest challenges that the Shillong Medical College is facing is getting faculty, Iangrai however said that courses can be started with Associate Professors and Assistant Professors.
“There is a shortage of Professors. It is difficult to recruit Professors since the recruitment rules are strict,” she said.
At present there are nine Professors in the Shillong Medical College.
Out of the 25 posts of Assistant Professors, 24 are in-service doctors of the state and out of the required 20 Associate Professors, 18 are in-service doctors.
Stating that the Shillong Medical College is a “brown field project”, with existing facilities being used, Iangrai said that infrastructures will be augmented adding that initially the institute will have 50 students which will be increased to 100 seats in the years to come.
The medical college would operate from existing facilities such as the Shillong Civil hospital, Maternal and Children Hospital and Pasteur Institute and Meghalaya Institute of Mental Health and Neuro Sciences.
“Despite the shortcomings and challenges ahead, the state is fortunate to start the college which would help the health care system of the state,” Iangrai said.
Moreover, she said that the institute is a boon for the state since from this year onwards as college would add 42 more medical seats to the existing state quota thereby enhancing health care infrastructure.