Shillong, Oct 9: The flag hoisting and oath taking ceremony of the first batch of Shillong Medical College was held on Thursday.
Shillong Medical College Director, Dr. Nicola Carissa Lyngdoh Iangrai told reporters that the flag hoisting was held as per the NMC norms to start the foundation course of 80 hours.
She said that this foundation course will consist of a mentor – mentee programme, attitude-ethics, communication and doctor-patient relationship, among other things.
“This is to teach the students what it means to be a doctor,” Dr. Iangrai said.
The Director also informed that the classes for the first batch of Shillong Medical College will begin on October 14.
She also said that the institute is a boon for the state since from this year onwards Meghalaya will have 42 more medical seats thereby enhancing health care infrastructure.
Reiterating the Shillong Medical College is a “brown field project”, with existing facilities being used, Dr. 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 Director said that initially problems will be there in the functioning of the college but authorities are doing whatever it can to see that the students and staff are comfortable.
She said that the state is lucky to start a medical institute with existing facilities like the Maternal and Children Hospital and Pasteur Institute at Lawmali, Civil Hospital and the MIMHANS.
On the issue of faculty to teach in the Shillong Medical College, Dr. Iangrai informed that there is a shortage of Professors, but courses can be started with Associate Professors and Assistant Professors.
The Director said that it is difficult to recruit Professors since the recruitment rules are strict. At present there are nine Professors in the Shillong Medical College.
Dr. Sutnga said that out of the 25 posts of assistant professors 24 are in-service doctors of the state and out of the requirement of 20 Associate Professors 18 are in-service doctors.
Meanwhile, he also informed that the institute is planning to start Post Graduate courses.
“If we are prepared we will speak with the government and ask for permission to start the PG courses,” the Sub-Dean.
During the flag hoisting ceremony, Chief Secretary Shakil Ahmed, Commissioner and Secretary Health and Family Department, Joram Beda, Dr. W Sutnga Sub -Dean of the Medical College, the first batch of students and faculty members and other dignitaries were present.
