The proposed medical college would initially function from two plots, administrative, academic, hostels and staff quarters at Phriebagie, and the teaching hospital would be at Naga Hospital, Kohima, which is permissible under “Regulations of National Medical Commission (NMC)”.
By Imna Longchar, TFM Nagaland Correspondent
Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW) has finally approved the establishment of a medical college in Nagaland with an intake capacity hundred MBBS seats at the District Hospital Kohima (NHAK).
It was learnt that the establishment of the medical college has been finalized at an whooping amount of Rs 189 crores under the centrally sponsored scheme for the establishment of new medical colleges by upgrading district/referral hospitals in the year 2014.
As per the guideline of the scheme, one of the eligibility criteria was district and referral hospitals with bed strength of 200 or more where it was also informed that private hospitals were not eligible for the same.
According to an official bulletin, the proposed medical college would initially function from two plots, administrative, academic, hostels and staff quarters at Phriebagie, and the teaching hospital would be at Naga Hospital, Kohima, which is permissible under “Regulations of National Medical Commission (NMC)”.
Stating that in view of space constraints and instability of land at the Naga hospital Kohima campus, the bulletin also mentioned the difficulties in developing the hospital to 500 bedded teaching hospital which must be in place by 3rd inspection as per the regulations of the NMC while adding that a dedicated 500 bedded teaching hospital would be soon established at Phriebagie, Kohima, and the construction of 150 bedded hospital at the same venue through state resources was nearing completion while the department has approached JICA for setting up a 400 bedded teaching hospital.
Although the government of India has approved the establishment of medical college at Kohima in 2014, acquisition of land was completed only in the month of February, 2018, where the master plan was approved in October the same year and construction works beginning in 2019. It was also informed that execution of works were severely affected during the COVID-19 pandemic and despite its initial delay, all construction works are in full swing and is expected to complete the same within this year.
It was also learnt that so far the central has released its share of Rs 170.10 crores and out of which Rs 77.73 crores have been utilized till date while the balance amount is available with the government.
It also came to light the said project was never “grounded” nor “exhaustion” of funds as published in some local dailies.