Shillong, Oct 3: The PA Sangma International Medical College of University of Science and Technology, Meghalaya (USTM) has formally received approval from the National Medical Commission (NMC) to begin MBBS courses, becoming the first private medical collage of Meghalaya.

The approval by NMC was given to PA Sangma International Medical College and Hospital on Thursday, for intake of 150 MBBS seats for the academic year 2024-25.

The NMC’s approval comes few days after the college received approval from Union Ministry of Health & Family Welfare.

Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma took to his social media account to congratulate the PA Sangma International Medical College (PIMC) and USTM on this momentous achievement. “We wish USTM and PIMC family the very best as they begin their journey to train and empower medical professionals. We are confident that the college will provide opportunities to our students, who will have access to quality medical education close to home,” he said.

Earlier in the day, Health Minister Ampareen Lyngdoh informed that the state has been allocated 40 additional medical seats following approval to the PIMC, taking the state’s overall quota for medical seats to 133, of which 93 are allotted by the government of India.

Of the 40 seats in PIMC, 20 will be under full scholarship while the other 20 seats will be under half payment of fees.

CM Conrad K. Sangma had laid the foundation of the medical college in October 2022. He had said then that the medical college is a “great tribute” to his late father who believed that investment in people is the greatest investment. He further said that the medical college would be a great blessing for the people of the region. He also thanked the founder of USTM Mahbubul Hoque for bestowing his late father with the honour.

Meanwhile, Meghalaya government has been trying to establish a state-owned medical college for decades. Currently, work is on to establish the Shillong Medical College with target to become operational by 2025-26. A similar medical college is also being established in Tura, Garo Hills, which is a greenfield project and it targeted to be operationalised by 2027.

Read: Arya Vidyalaya School gets new Play Field cum Seating Gallery

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