Kohima Medical College expected to initiate Academic Year from 2022-23

Nagaland: After several impediments, Nagaland's first Medical College is set to initiate its first academic year from 2022-23, informed Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio on February 18.

The CM informed this during the State Budget Session 2021-22 at the 7th session of the 13th Nagaland Legislative Assembly. "The State Government is planning to apply for starting the Kohima Medical College from the academic year 2022-23 to the National Medical Commission," added Rio who also holds the finance portfolio.

Nagaland's first medical college is being set up at Phriebagei in Kohima district. The foundation stone of the medical college was laid by CM Neiphiu Rio in 2014.

As per reports, the college was approved under the first phase of CSS to be established at the Naga Hospital (Kohima) at a cost of 189 crore. The funds were to be shared by the Centre and the State government in the ratio of 90: 10.

Earlier, the Kohima Medical College was expected to enroll its first batch of students in 2021-22, however, things did not materialize. Lack of labour force due to COVD-19 induced lockdown delayed the completion of the health institute last year, informed Nagaland Health Minister S Pangnyu Phom.

While addressing the media he also cited that soil problem at the construction site is another reason of the delay.

The establishment of a medical college has been a long-cherished dream for the people of Nagaland, even though the progress of the construction of the institute has been steady, the government is hopeful to start the session by next year.

The CM in his Budget Speech further asserted that the second medical college at Mon District that has been approved by the Central Government in September 2020, is expected to be functional by 2023-24 academic session.

"We are also in the process of establishing a Medical College at Mon. The project will be taken up at a cost of Rs 325 crore, 90 percent of which is being sourced from a centrally sponsored scheme. We expect to complete all the works and make the College functional during 2023-24," he said.

Meanwhile, in terms of sectoral allocation, the Department of Health and Family Welfare was provided Rs 604.90 lakh.

Of this Rs 254.90 is earmarked for construction of a new ward at 11 NHAK and Rs 150 lakh for construction of 50 bedded District Hospital Kohima.

Also Read: In a First, Nagaland Assembly Played the National Anthem in 6 Decades

Also Watch: All Assam Panchayat coordinating committee members protest at Chachal