TRIHMS to start classes by September, 2018

From Our Correspondent

Itagar, June 8: The Tomo Riba Institute of Health and Medical Sciences (TRIHMS) will start classes by September next year, going by the timeline affirmed by its Governing Council that met here on Wednesday.

The Governing Council, of which Chief Minister Pema Khandu is chairman, has prepared the timeline to kick-start courses for the first batch of MBBS degree from the TRIHMS campus at harlagun, an official report said.

As approved by the council in its second meeting, recruitment rules would be filised by June this year, advertisement for posts by July first week, selection of faculty by October, appointment of faculty by November and inspection by Medical Council of India (MCI) by December 2017. Further, hostel accommodation for boys and girls would be ready by April 2018.

To begin with, the institute, which is under process of affiliation with Rajiv Gandhi University, would impart MBBS courses to 50 students per intake, to be enhanced as and when feasible. Also provisions have been kept to offer PG and higher courses in the near future.

Prospectus and syllabus for the courses are under preparation and would be filised by April next year, while admissions would be done in July 2018 and classes begin by September.

TRIHMS Director Moji Jini said the groundwork is almost complete with allocation of additiol land of 9038.5 sq. metres and handing over of the old Assembly building to the institute. He, however, reminded that some portions of additiol land in the vicinity of the institute are yet to be vacated or allotted and sought intervention of the government.

Other requirements such as framing of recruitment rules for both teaching and non-teaching staff, appointment of director and supporting staff, have already been completed. Of the 471 posts created, 243 have been notified. The remaining posts are being reprocessed and the proposal would be sent to the cabinet for approval soon.

The main challenge that evolved and attracted detailed discussions during the meeting amongst the members was finding professors and assistant professors to run the courses. It was discussed that salaries and perks may be as per government norms and the institute would strive to provide free accommodation besides other facilities.

While all agreed to have local professiols in as many number as possible who are teaching in various institutes across the state, specialist doctors serving in the government for more than 15-20 years may also be invited. Roping in of retired professors and assistant professors has also been kept as an option.

A detailed policy and rules are being framed in consultation with experts in this regard, the Council was informed. A selection committee has been constituted in this regard that would have the director of North East Indira Gandhi Regiol Institute of Health and Medical Sciences (NEIGRIHMS), Shillong, director of TRIHMS and principals/directors of reputed medical colleges and eminent persons from the medical field as members.

Other aspects for functioning of the institute like budgetary allocation, creation of ancillary posts, outsourcing of services like security, sanitation, laundry, gardening and catering were also discussed and approved by the council.

The meeting was attended by Health Parliamentary Secretary Phurpa Tsering, the Chief Secretary, Fince Commissioner, Health Commissioner, Education Secretary, state Health Service officials and members of the Governing Council, Senior Regiol Director, Union Ministry of Health, PJ Gogoi, NEIGRIHMS Director DM Thappa, Tezpur Medical College and Hospital Principal Dr M K Thakur, former union additiol director general of health services RN Salhan, retired IAS officer Govind Sharma, retired bureaucrat and social activist YD Thongchi, head of zoology department from Rajiv Gandhi University DN Das along with Member Secretary Balakrishn and Dr Jini, the report added.