A private company to run a government medical college under PPP

Shillong:Meghalaya Minister for Health and Family Welfare , AL Hek has recently announced that the Calcutta based KPC Group will continue to maintain the private public partnership (PPP) project for the Shillong Medical College in Meghalaya.

The plan of KPC, a private company running the government medical college in collaboration with the government was decided in 2012 when an agreement was signed between the private firm and the government for the same.

“The KPC Group will continue the project. If things change we will inform. Till date there is no reason to discontinue our talks with the KPC Group,” Hek told reporters after meeting health officials here.

The Civil Society Women’s Organisation, an NGO, has however picked up cudgels on the handing over issue on PPP mode. Head of the firm Kali P. Chaudhuri has registered a case against him by the enforcement directorate.

Asked whether the government would continue its ties with the KPC if the company is proven guilty, Hek said the government will look at other options available. “We want a transparent company to work with.”

Hek, who earlier visited the proposed site at Reid Chest (TB) Hospital, lay emphasis on the need of setting up of the college in order to be able to provide quality healthcare service.

“We have discussed construction of the college. There are certain issues that need to be addressed such as the road connecting the proposed college.”

Reacting to a query on shifting the Reid Chest (TB) Hospital to Umsawli, the minister said: “Today we have taken the same decision. If all necessary facilities are not in place for the new TB hospital at Umsawli, we will not shift a single patient from here.”

“Basic amenities such as an approach road, water, electricity and some minor works are yet to be completed. We will first complete the hospital at Umsawli this year and after that we can shift all patients to the new hospital,” Hek added to the North East today.