The dream of the Meghalaya government to have its own medical college is yet to turn into reality.
However, the privately-owned PA Sangma International Medical College of the University of Science and Technology, Meghalaya (USTM) is set to begin operation soon.
The National Medical Council (NMC) recently granted approval to the private medical college located at Khanapara in Ri-Bhoi district.
Chief Minister Conrad Sangma had laid the foundation of the private medical college in October 2022.
The NMC gave its approval to PA Sangma International Medical College and Hospital on October 3, for intake of 150 MBBS seats for the academic year 2024-25. The academic session will start from the last week of October this year.
The NMC’s approval comes a few days after the medical college received approval from the Union Health Ministry.
For several years, the State government has been trying to establish state-owned medical colleges in Shillong and Tura.
The delay in establishing the two government medical colleges has caused embarrassment to the State since a private medical college which was initiated recently is now set to start operation.
The government is currently trying to establish the Shillong Medical College with a target to become operational by 2025-26.
A government medical college is also being established in Tura, Garo Hills. The college is targeted to become operational by 2027.
Recently, Health Minister Ampareen Lyngdoh said that the State government aims to open the Shillong Medical College in 2025.
According to Lyngdoh, the Tura Medical College is expected to be completed in 2028.
Recently USTM chancellor Mahbubul Hoque has requested the State government to give an interest-free loan of Rs 233 crore for the PA Sangma International Medical College and Hospital.
Hoque said that the loan would be repaid to the government in 20 years.
It is not known if the State government would agree to such a request. According to officials, the matter is being examined by the chief minister.
