The larger challenge is the manpower as people are not willing to come even if we are ready to pay. – Conrad Sangma, Chief Minister
Shillong, Sep 11: The state government is exploring a hybrid PPP (Public-Private Partnership) model to operationalise the Tura Medical College, enabling a private partner to manage the college and the government retaining control over the civil hospital and MCH, Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma told the Assembly on Thursday.
“There is a misconception that private parties will run the Tura civil hospital and MCH,” he said in reply to a query raised by Leader of Opposition Mukul Sangma.
“(I assure) no question of private parties taking over the services of this civil hospital and MCH. The private party partnered with the government will have to come up with a hospital,” the Chief Minister said while emphasising that the government’s top priority is to ensure the best possible healthcare services for the people.
Stating around 50% shortage of medical specialists to meet basic healthcare needs in Garo Hills, he said, “Running a medical college would require even more manpower.”
“The larger challenge is the manpower as people are not willing to come even if we are ready to pay,” he asserted.
Expressing government’s willingness for discussion with opposition on the issue, he said, “We are not here to take away anybody’s rights. We are not here to bulldoze anybody… After lots of deliberation, we concluded that this (hybrid PPP mode) is the best way to go forward. We are open for discussion with members and happy to engage and move forward.”
He dismissed the misconception that aspiring students will have to pay Rs 50 lakh to Rs 1 crore fees if the hybrid PPP model is implemented for Tura Medical College.
He clarified that tuition fee for 63% of seats reserved for government quota students would be subsidised by the government, with students paying only Rs 30,000. The private partner would be allowed to charge a fee for the remaining 37% of seats, but the committee would decide on the fee structure.
“Let me make it very clear – for those 80 seats or 63% of the seats, no question for people to pay 50 lakh or Rs 1 crore for tuition fee. If the committee comes up and said fees should be Rs 5 lakh government will subsidise and pay Rs 4.7 lakh,” the CM stated.
Earlier, in her reply, Health Minister Ampareen Lyngdoh said the decision to go for a hybrid PPP model was made after considering the ground realities and challenges in running the medical college.
She pointed out the significant shortage of faculty members required to run the medical college, with a need for 97 faculty members, but only 20 doctors expressed willingness to serve as faculty.
She clarified that the government will retain ownership of land and building, while the private partner will manage the medical college and hospital to ensure qualified teaching faculty. Eighty seats are reserved under the state quota, and 37% are management quota seats.
The Minister assured that the government will decide on the fee structure, and there will be no burden on students under the state quota. The private partner will bear the costs of running the medical college and pay a lease of Rs 1 crore annually.
“The government is committed to protecting the interests of aspiring youth and ensuring that the Tura Medical College becomes operational by 2026,” she said.
The Minister assured that there will be no increase in hospital fees for patients in the Tura Civil Hospital.
“The government is open to discussing the proposal and is willing to work with stakeholders to ensure the success of the Tura Medical College,” she stated.
