Maharashtra: IGGMC to get Rs 338 crore in phases

Nagpur: In the face of the Medical Council of India's(MCI), warning to the 12 medical colleges in the state about usurping of permission for their existing seats, the Maharashtra Ministry of Finance has decided to release funds for all the developmental projects in a phased manner. The money released would be used to overcome faculty shortages and equipment needs to begin with.

This would include Rs 338 crore for the Indira Gandhi Government Medical Colleges(IGGMC) with a 150 seats. The decision to this effect was taken at a meeting on Monday. The Head Directorate of Medical Education and Research (DMER) , Dr. Pravin Shingare talking to the TOI said that the status of all the 12 colleges had been presented to officials present at the meeting. The IGGMC funding is to be released in a phased manner. "These colleges have already been issued warnings from the MCI and hence there is urgent need to fill the vacant posts and install all major equipment on priority followed by other constructional requirements," said Dr Shingare.

Acting Dean of the college, Anuradha Shrikhande dividing college needs under nine different heads said that the funds were required for Resident Medical Officer (RMO) Hostel (400 bedded), the 500 bedded hospital, the administrative building, mortuary, laundry, equipment and manpower, elevated storage reservoir and sewage etc. "Filling posts and purchasing equipment will be the first priority and the money for this would come first," she said.

The Rs 97 crore administrative building would house the Dean's office, administrative offices of all the 14 departments and laboratories of para-clinical subjects- microbiology, pathology, biochemistry, four seminar rooms of 180 capacity, four lecture halls of 350 capacity and two lecture halls of gallery type (auditorium type), upgraded library and the Central Research Laboratory.

Rs. 1.2 cr will be required for 12 posts of assistant professors or lecturers and associate professors. The equipment costs of Rs. 45.45 cr would be used for buying 128 slices CAT scan, 1.5 tesla MRI and a Digital Subtraction Angiography (DSA) .The remaining money will be used for buying equipment of other departments as per MCI requirements reports the

TOI.

"IGGMC would be one of the five colleges in state to establish an ideal mortuary on the lines of the Goa Medical College. It's being done following court directives," said Dr Shrikhande.

Rs 54 crore RMO hostel (already released 12.57 crore for G+1 floor) will have G+4 floors and it will be 400 bedded facility.

The Rs 100 crore ground plus six floor 500 bedded hospital will include all the intensive care units (ICUs) related to medicine and all allied branches like pediatrics, neonatal care, respiratory, cardiac and TB chest medicine.

The funds include Rs 33 crore for elevated storage reservoir (ESR), effluent treatment plant, sewage lines and internal roads. Another Rs 25 crore will be used for examination cum auditorium purpose. Rs 2.74 crore has been planned for raising the existing operation theaters to MCI norms.