Photo Courtesy: nenews
Shillong: Tura Medical College remains a ghost ship. Construction is 84 percent complete, yet the state cannot open the doors. A massive shortage of teaching staff stalls the progress. The Health and Family Welfare Department met Wednesday to address the shortfall.
The facility needs to meet National Medical Commission mandates. Current vacancies are staggering. The college faces an 86 percent deficit for Professors and 85 percent for Associate Professors. Senior Resident slots are 52 percent empty, while Assistant Professor roles remain 36 percent vacant. These numbers block the planned 50-student intake. The Union Ministry originally sanctioned 150 MBBS seats for the school.
Officials spent five months hunting for local solutions. They ran three recruitment drives. They also scouted in-service doctors currently working in Primary Health Centres across the Garo Hills. Officials warned that redeployment must not cripple existing rural services. The Commissioner and Secretary stressed that the government objective remains that "the students and people of the state derive maximum benefit from Tura Medical College."
Building timelines remain rigid. The 80-bedded hospital block at the Civil Hospital campus should finish by December 31, 2026. The 150-bedded unit follows on June 30, 2027. Doldagre hostels and Type-5 quarters also set a December 31, 2026 deadline. Academic blocks target March 31, 2027, with final staff housing arriving by June 30, 2027. Fees for state quota students sit at 33,000 rupees.
The meeting welcomed Dr. Baladalin Lyngdoh, the new Director of Health Services for Medical Education and Research. Other attendees included Dr. Rezina Ch. Marak, Dr. Lumrilyne M. Umlong, Dr. Carolinda Iangrai, Dr. J.B. Sangma, Dr. B. Momin, and Dr. Nanitha R. Marak.
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