Govt announces new medical college for Leh

 In a major development to revitalize health and medical education in the Himalayan region, the Government on Monday announced New Medical College for cold desert Leh area.

The Health & Medical Education Department informed that the department was all set to establish New Medical College at Leh under Phase-III.

The Department has prepared detailed project report (DPR) and technical report for construction of Government Medical College at Leh as per the guidelines issued by the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, Government of India for opening of 75 New Government Medical Colleges through-out the country in challenger mode at district level.

The Department of Health & Medical Education in consultation with Deputy Commissioner Leh and Ladakh Hill Development Council (LHDC) has identified 201 kanals of land at Shey Sindhu Ghat village to establish Government Medical College in Leh.

The DPR for establishing Government Medical College Leh shall be submitted within 2 to 3 days to Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, Government of India.

“The establishment of this new medical college in this hilly region shall go a long way not only in the health care sector but also strengthening the engine of development in the region”.

The officials informed that the pre-execution DPR is in the process of finalization and a total amount Rs.325.00 crore shall be sanctioned by GoI for establishment of Medical College, (115 Cr), hostel and residence for students and faculty ( 80 Cr), Medical Equipments (70 Cr) and up-gradation of teaching hospital (60 Cr).

It may be recalled that the SNM Hospital at Leh is already 300 bedded hospital with most of specialties—which shall be upgraded to 500 bedded, as per the requirements of MCI and a new Emergency Block, OPD Block and Diagnostic Block shall be constructed within the hospital premises, for which the DPR is being prepared.

Pertinently Health & Medical Education Department, J&K after establishing five New Government Medical Colleges, out of which four were permitted by Medical Council of India (MCI) to admit 100 MBBS students—each namely Kathua, Rajouri, Anantnag and Baramulla. The Government in this regard has already submitted a Detailed Project Reports (DRPs) for establishment of New Medical Colleges at Handwara & Udhampur.