Arunachal Pradesh misses MCI deadline for establishment of Medical College

Itanagar: Late Chief Minister Kalikho Pul’s endevour to initiate a medical college in the state by 2017, has received yet another set back, with the Arunachal government failing to submit documentation to the Medical Council of India (MCI), on time. The date of documentation submission was July 17, which would have resulted in the state being granted a letter of permission to begin a college in Tomo Riba State Hospital, Naharlagun, for the academic session in 2017.

Political instability and wrangling in the state are reported to have led to this set back once again. Late Phul, in his efforts to give the state a medical college had met Health Minister, JP Nadda twice. His aim was the establishment of the institution on time. However, his efforts seem to be going waste, feel officials who have been involved in the project.

“Late Pul took personal interest and really worked hard. We also tried out best. The file for LOP was supposed to be cleared from CM office. However, due to political fight, the file got stuck. It’s unfortunate that a major development project which could have really benefited poor people, has been shelved due to greed of the politicians,” said one of the officials, involved in the medical college project.

The central government has also been showing interest in the project by promising funds, the minute an MCI approval is obtained. Besides this project, the central government has also given its consent for starting another college at Tezu.

Earlier, the state government had pushed the construction of new blocks at Tomo Riba State Hospital by August 15 this year. Officials had gone ahead to push the health department to ensure that the construction work did not get disrupted due to lack of funds. However, nothing seems to have moved forward on that front either.

Another medical college project that had taken initiation at Pachin Village, with Deputy Prime Minister, LK Advani, laying its foundation stone in 2003, also hasn’t taken off the ground. Successive governments haven’t been able to give a go ahead to the college, despite compensation having been paid, for acquisition of 200 acres of land from villagers to start the project.

The process for establishing Arunachal’s first medical college, Naharlagun, started way back in 1999.

It was Late CM Phul who re initiated the medical college project. With the deadline over once again, the health department is hoping to see the project turn to reality in the year 2018.

“State government really needs to work harder regarding the college. Central government has already assured all the required help. If we don’t avail this opportunity, we will really miss out. Starting of medical college will vastly improve the health care system of state,” stated an official of health department.