Shillong, Oct 5: The University of Science and Technology, Meghalaya (USTM) has sought the state government to facilitate an interest-free loan of Rs 233 crore for its PA Sangma International Medical College and Hospital.
“We are expecting (financial assistance of) Rs 233 crore as interest free loan. In 20 years, we will be returning the entire amount (to the government of Meghalaya),” USTM chancellor Mahbubul Hoque told reporters on Friday.
Although the state government had agreed to extend the financial support to the state’s private medical college, the final decision is yet to be taken, he said.
The National Medical Commission has already granted approval to the medical college to launch its MBBS programme with intake of 150 students from 2024-25 academic session.
Expressing his gratitude to the government for its support, he said, “This medical college is in collaboration with the government of Meghalaya with an understanding…although we have not yet signed the MoU.”
Besides free-of-cost health care facilities for patients from Meghalaya in General department of the hospital, there will be 40 MBBS seats for the state including 25 seats free-of-cost, he said.
“Government college fees structure is very less, maybe Rs 1 lakh or Rs 1.2 lakh. If that amount is considered by Meghalaya government, we will offer the 25 seats. Remaining 15 seats will be (charged) half of the university fee structure… so this 25 plus 15 seats altogether 40,” he added.
Highlighting its proposal for modern infrastructure, he said the hospital will have a superspeciality campus where all transplant facilities including kidney and liver transplants will be facilitated from next year.
On its plan to start nursing courses this year, he said, “In nursing programme, nearly 350 nurses have joined of which, I think nearly 275 nurses are from Meghalaya alone and they are doing extremely well,” he added.
