Leh to soon get its own Medical College; Centre gives nod to proposal

Srinagar: In a major development to boost the health and medical education in the Himalayan region, the Jammu and Kashmir administration has announced to establish a Government Medical College (GMC) for Leh which would be first such facility in the hilly district

Medical Dialogues had earlier reported that moving towards its goal of having a medical college in every three districts, the PM Modi led Cabinet Committee has decided to 75 new GMCs will be established. This would be done via setting up of medical colleges to be attached with existing district/referral hospitals under Phase-III of the ongoing Centrally Sponsored scheme.

The decision noted that new medical colleges would be set up in under-served areas having no medical college; with at least 200 bedded District Hospital. Preference will be given to Aspirational Districts and District Hospital has 300 beds.

"The establishment of this new medical college in this hilly region shall go a long way not only in the health care sector but also strengthening the engine of development in the region," officials said

The Health and Medical Education Department will set up the Leh GMC under Phase-III, and 201 kanals (25.125 acres) of land at Shey Sindhu Ghat village has been identified for the purpose

The spokesperson for the health department informed PTI that the department has prepared detailed project report (DPR) and technical report for construction of the GMC as per the guidelines issued by the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare for opening of 75 new government medical colleges across the country at the district level.

He said the pre-execution DPR is in the process of finalization and a total amount Rs 325 crore would be sanctioned by the Centre for establishment of the Medical College. Of the total, Rs 115 Crore has been earmarked for hostel and residence for students and Rs 80 crore for faculty, Rs 70 crore will be spent on medical equipment and Rs 60 crore for upgradation of teaching hospital, the spokesman said.

Read Also: Jammu And Kashmir: New medical college coming up in Rajouri

The 300-bed SNM Hospital at Leh would be upgraded to a 500-bed facility, as per the requirements of the MCI and a new emergency block, OPD block and diagnostic block would be constructed within the hospital premises, for which the DPR is being prepared, the spokesman said.

The Health and Medical Education department has established five New GMCs, out of which the Medical Council of India (MCI) has granted permission that 100 MBBS each, in such facilities at Kathua, Rajouri, Anantnag and Baramulla, can get admission, he said.

Read Also: 4 new Medical Colleges have been established after formation of Telangana: Health Minister Etela