Guwahati becoming medical hub of south-east Asia: CM Himanta

 Bhoomi pujan of second medical college performed

STAFF REPORTER

GUWAHATI: The second medical college in Guwahati will be named Pragyotish Medical College and Hospital, reflecting Kamrup's glorious past. Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma today laid the foundation stone of the Kalapahar and Pan Bazar campuses of the new medical college. The total cost of the medical college is around Rs 1,000 crore.

Guwahati is transforming into the medical hub of south-east Asia, said the Chief Minister after the bhoomi pujan. "There is already one medical college here. The All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), North Guwahati will start functioning soon and there is possibility of its inauguration by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in November. There is also a super-specialty hospital. With another medical college coming up, the city will become the medical hub of south-east Asia," he said.

"But the target of the Assam Government is to set up a medical college in every district of the State. At present, there are seven medical colleges. The Lakhimpur Medical College and Hospital will be inaugurated tomorrow. In 2023, admissions will start for Dhubri Medical College and Hospital, Kokrajhar and Nalbari medical colleges will start by 2024, Nagaon and Tinsukia medical colleges will start by 2025, medical colleges in Biswanath Chariali and Charaideo by 2026. So by 2026, there will be 14 medical colleges," he said. The Chief Minister laid stress on ramping up the health infrastructure in the States and added that another five medical colleges would be set up in places like Goalpara and Bongaigaon.

The MMCH campus of the new medical college will have two G+17 towers, which will include the residential quarters of doctors and other medical staff. To ensure speedy completion of the new medical college, it has been given special priority status. Care has been taken to ensure that there is no delay in completion of the project due to red tapism, said the Chief Minister. The medical college will be inaugurated in 2025, he added.

The Kalapahar campus of the new medical college will have 480 beds, 46 ICUs, 7 high tech OTs and accommodation facility for 450 students and 100 interns. The college would provide admission to 100 MBBS students annually. On the other hand, the MMCH campus will have 800 beds, 100 ICUs, state-of-the-art diagnostic facilities, dialysis unit, 11 OTs among others.

In addition, the Chief Minister also said that names of many towns, villages and areas do not reflect the State's cultural heritage. Their names will be changed phase-wise. "A portal will be launched on May 10 where people can give their suggestions for new names," he said.

Health Minister Keshab Mahanta, MP Queen Oja, MLA Ramendra Narayan Kalita were present at both the programmes along with other dignitaries.

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