Constraint of Doctors in Assam To Be Overcome Soon: Himanta Biswa Sarma

KOKRAJHAR: Assam Health Minister Dr. Himanta Biswa Sarma on Monday asserted that the constraint of doctors in Assam would be overcome within a couple of years as the State was going to set up three more medical colleges in Kokrajhar, Nalbari, and Tinsukia in the first part of 2019.

Himanta Biswa Sarma visited the site of the proposed medical college at Bergson near Kokrajhar on Monday to assess the ground report for foundation-stone laying ceremony to be held on January. He was accompanied by BTC chief Hagrama Mohilary, State Tourism, and WPT&BC Minister Chandan Brahma and EM of Health, BTC, Gonesh Kachary. He landed at SAI Special Area Games Centre, Kanthalguri and proceeded towards the proposed construction site of Kokrajhar Medical College where hectic preparations are going on for the foundation stone laying ceremony.

Talking to reporters, Sarma said the Government of Assam had sanctioned Rs.382.07 crore for setting up of Kokrajhar Medical College. The construction of a medical college in Kokrajhar would be completed within three years, he said, adding that on January 6, Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal and BTC chief Hagrama Mohilary would lay the foundation stone. He also said that the medical college in Kokrajhar was a long-standing demand and it was going to be a reality and its construction would be started soon.

Replying to questions, Sarma said the shortage of doctors in Assam was a fact. He said there were 300 doctors in the Assam but the State would have 650 doctors every year. The crisis of doctors would decrease after the Diphu Medical College was constructed soon, he said adding that within 7-8 years there would be no shortage of doctors in Assam.

When asked about the cracks in the alliance between BJP and AGP over the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill, 2016, Sarma said the stand of BJP was clear but the ball was in the hands of the AGP, whether they wanted to separate or to continue the alliance. He said there was no problem between the BJP and BPF and everything was going on the right track. He also said that 2018 was the year of many achievements and changes for BJP and 2019 would be the most challenging year for the party.

Meanwhile, the EM of Health and Family Welfare, BTC, Gonesh Kachary said the long-pending demand for the setting up of medical college in Kokrajhar would soon be fulfilled as the foundation stone for the medical college would be laid on January 6. He said the problem of shortage of doctors would be addressed in the region and the State as a whole. He also said the medical college was also part of the MoS of BTC Accord which was being implemented.

The foundation stone of Kokrajhar Medical College was laid way back in 2011. The foundation stones of Kokrajhar Medical College, Engineering College at Udalguri and Agriculture College at Koklabari in Baksa were laid by the then Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi on February 10, 2011 while Himanta Biswa Sarma himself was Health Minister during the Congress regime. After eight years of failed commitment, the second foundation stone of Kokrajhar Medical College would be laid again on January 6 in Kokrajhar by Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal.

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