Khanapara, Oct 5: The “P.A. Sangma International Medical College & Hospital”—a mega dream project of ERD Foundation Guwahati and its founder Chairman Mahbubul Hoque has seen the beginning of implementation with the grand foundation laying ceremony held on October 3, 2022, at the proposed medical college ground at the University of Science and Technology Meghalaya (USTM).
The foundation was laid by Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad Sangma in the presence of Rhonda Vetere, Global Leader from USA, former Meghalaya Governor R.S. Mooshahary, Home and Education Minister Lahkmen Rymbui, Dr R. C. Deka, former Director, AIIMS; Dr Dhrubajyoti Borah, VC, Srimanta Sankaradeva University of Health Sciences; Lt. Gen. Zameer Uddin Shah, former VC, AMU; Dr Abdul Wase, Prof. of Medicine, USA; Faisal Masood, Managing Partner, EO, USA, Sosthenes Sohtun, MLA from Jirang constituency of Meghalaya. Eminent doctors from all over the North East and from various parts of the country and abroad witnessed the historic event at USTM.
The P A Sangma International Medical College and Hospital of @USTMeghalaya whose foundation we laid today is a great tribute to my late Father who firmly believed that investment in people is the greatest investment.@PMOIndia @mansukhmandviya @dpradhanbjp pic.twitter.com/zI0lFk9KuI
— Conrad Sangma (@SangmaConrad) October 3, 2022
Addressing the august gathering, the Chief Minister said that the first private medical college in the state will follow standards second to none. He said his father was instrumental in establishing USTM and naming the medical college after him was a tribute to the late leader. Sangma said the biggest investment a government or a society can make is in human capital and institutes must play an important role in research and innovation. The CM said thorough discussions are underway to see how the state government can collaborate with USTM, especially for the medical college.
Addressing the media, Hoque said, “One of the main features of the Medical College and Hospital is a 200-bedded super speciality hospital with all kinds of technological facilities with cutting-edge research. Following its mission, this hospital will be made completely free for all poor patients. Moreover, we will make its service entirely free for the people of Meghalaya”.
Another significant perspective of this noble initiative is its emphasis on extensive research on healthcare. This new institution has its unique target: to attract patients and students from the ASEAN countries. During the initial stage, it will specially target patients and students from Bangladesh, Nepal and Bhutan.
Besides all technological facilities and high ending equipment, the medical college and hospital will have air ambulance facility, a network of ambulance services that will be provided covering Guwahati and Shillong. Mobile App will be developed so that patients can take hassle-free appointments of the doctors, can avail Ambulance and various other facilities. This will help save their time and get doctors available when they arrive at the hospital.
Many doctors from the North East who are working abroad have already expressed their interest to join in this healthcare mission.
