Nagaland Medical College likely to start by June

State’s Medical College, Nagaland Institute of Medical Sciences and Research (NIMSR) at Phriebagie, Kohima, could soon become operational as it has received ‘Letter of Intent’ (LOI) from the National Medical Council (NMC)’s Medical Assessment and Rating Board (MARB) even as it readies to start the academic year 2023-24 by June.
State health and family welfare (H&FW) minister, P Paiwang Konyak, announced this during a press conference at NIMSR conference hall, here on Wednesday, a day after the LoI for 100 MBBS seats during academic year 2023-24 was sent to the Dean/Principal of NIMSR.
Konyak said Nagaland would be reciprocating with an acceptance letter within a week’s time to pave way for the Letter of Permission, without which admissions could not be initiated.
Minister described it as a historic day for the people of Nagaland as the state would able to start a medical college after 60 years of Statehood. While thanking state chief minister Neiphiu Rio for his concern and efforts, Konyak was said this was a step towards fulfilling the burning desire of “our leaders” both in the past and present.
He disclosed that MARB had on January 10, 2023, paid a surprise visit to NIMSR, Kohima during which the team expressed their dissatisfaction with the infrastructure, manpower and subsequently had issued a show-cause notice to the government on February 1, 2023. Accordingly, on behalf of the state government, commissioner & secretary, H&FW, Y Kikheto Sema, submitted Agreement, Affidavit and Compliance Report on February 7, 2023, assuring that all required infrastructures, manpower, equipment, teaching hospital etc. would be ready by May 31, 2023 to start 100 MBBS seats for the academic session 2023-24, Konyak said.
He informed that the second compliance agreement, affidavit was sent to NMC on March 6, 2023.
Konyak said the second surprise assessment visit by a team of NMC on March 27, 2023 was fruitful as the team seemed satisfied with the improvement of infrastructure, hospital, manpower etc. within a record period of time.
The minister appreciated the efforts and initiatives taken by the commissioner & secretary, principal director, NIMSR director and her team, NHAK MD and his team, Er Naro and her team and all the contractors.
Konyak further requested the contractors to finish all the works by May 31 and the remainders by June 30 as per the agreements to facilitate admissions for the new academic session.
Also, addressing the press, commissioner & secretary, Kikheto Sema, said after the state government had submitted an agreement, affidavit and compliance report on February 7, the government held interviews to recruit faculty members on February 14-15. He said 19 were selected out of 48 applicants and out of those selected, 17 selected applicants had forwarded their letters of consent, Sema informed.
On March 29 and 30, he said medical department held another test where 44 applicants took the test while 13 were selected. Sema informed that around 87% of the applicants were from Nagaland.
The test conducted on April 14-15 also witnessed about 84% applicants from Nagaland where 39 have been selected out of the 64 applicants and results for the same would be announced within a day or two. Sema also said that a committee has been set up to look into the recruitment for the grade-III posts.
Director and Dean, NIMSR, Prof Dr Soumya Chakraborty, said that setting up of the medical institute was an achievement for the State and the country, adding it was an asset to the country and not just for Nagaland.
She informed that necessary arrangements were being put into place to ensure smooth and timely functioning of the institute.
Dr. Chakraborty disclosed that as per NMC guidelines, out of 100 MBBS seats, 15 were all India seats while the rest 85 was set aside for Nagaland.
However, if all India seats remained unfilled, they would be added the Nagaland’s share.
Asked about the recruitment of faculty members, NIMSR director assured that it was conducted by experts from across the country and in a very free and fair manner.
She said that after receiving LOI, the NIMSR would come up with its prospectus and hand it over to NMC to let them distribute it across the country.
Meanwhile, Sema and Chakraborty have urged the State government to consider allotment of the Urban housing complex at Keyake to be used as staff quarters for the meantime.
As for the Medical college at Mon, Konyak informed that civil and construction works would start soon.