GUWAHATI: Medical education and infrastructure in Assam got a momentous boost on Friday after three newly commissioned medical colleges began their academic sessions.
Situated in Nagaon, Kokrajhar, and Nalbari, the medical colleges welcomed the first batches of medical aspirants, marking the beginning of a transformative journey in the state’s healthcare landscape.
With the addition of these institutions, Assam has inducted 1,500 new medical students, elevating the state’s total student count to twelve medical colleges.
Assam’s Chief Minister, Himanta Biswa Sarma, marked the historic occasion by visiting Nagaon Medical College and Hospital. Speaking at the event, he said, “Today marks a monumental moment in Assam’s medical education. For the first time since India’s independence 75 years ago, our state has achieved the commendable feat of commencing academic sessions in three medical colleges simultaneously. We envision Assam emerging as a nexus for medical education in India, with aims to soon offer 2,000 MBBS and over 1,000 PG seats.”
Nagaon Medical College, boasting 10 modular operation theatres and 8 teaching laboratories, is a state-of-the-art institution with 504 beds, 50 ICU beds, and 22 departments.
Furthermore, the Health and Family Welfare Minister, Kesab Mahanta, inaugurated the Kokrajhar Medical College, which houses 9 operation theatres, 8 teaching laboratories, 500 beds, including 60 ICU beds, and 21 departments.
Nalbari Medical College saw its inauguration in the presence of the Minister of Public Health Engineering, Jayanta Mallabaruah, who is also the local MLA from Nalbari. This institution has been designed with 576 beds, including 43 ICU beds, 4 operation theatres, 8 teaching labs, and 20 departments.
Significantly, each of the newly launched medical colleges has the capacity to accommodate 100 medical students annually. Furthermore, they each come equipped with an essential blood bank, ensuring comprehensive medical facilities for the state.
