Shillong (Meghalaya), Sep 3: In a historic milestone for Meghalaya, the National Medical Commission (NMC) has granted a Letter of Permission to Shillong Medical College, paving the way for the institution to start its first academic session. The college will offer 50 MBBS seats, and admissions will be conducted as per the national NEET-UG schedule.
Health Minister Ampareen Lyngdoh announced that counselling for the seats will begin on Thursday, Sep 4, and classes will commence on Sep 27. This development marks a significant achievement for the state, addressing the long-standing shortage of doctors and enhancing healthcare accessibility.
The college will operate as a brownfield project, utilizing existing hospitals like Shillong Civil Hospital and Ganesh Das Hospital as teaching hospitals. Plans are also in place to introduce specialization courses in the future to provide career advancement opportunities for doctors in government service.
With this approval, Shillong Medical College joins 21 institutions across 13 states to receive medical seats from the NMC. The institution is expected to improve healthcare access and increase the number of healthcare professionals in Meghalaya, particularly in underserved areas.
Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma described the approval as a “historic day” for the state, marking the fulfilment of a decades-old aspiration. The establishment of Shillong Medical College is poised to transform the state’s healthcare landscape, providing quality medical education and advanced healthcare facilities to its residents.
