Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Monday performed bhumi puja of the second medical college in Guwahati at both Kalapahar and MMCH campuses. The project is being implemented for a total cost of Rs 998.30 crore covering an area of 62 bighas.

The Kalapahar campus of the new medical college will have 480 beds, 46 ICUs, 7 high tech OTs and an accommodation facility for 450 students and 100 interns. The college would provide admission to 100 MBBS students annually.

On the other hand, the MMCH campus will have 800 beds, 100 ICUs, state-of-the-art diagnostic facilities, dialysis unit, 11 OTs among others.      

The Assam Chief Minister announced that the new institute would be named Pragjyotishpur Medical College in honour of Assam’s glorious past. This new medical college would tremendously augment medical education and healthcare infrastructure in the State and fulfil the medical requirements of Guwahati and nearby areas, he said.

He said that the flyover construction is going on at Sarabbhati which would facilitate better communication between the two campuses. The State Government is ramping up healthcare infrastructure in the state keeping in view the future demand and by the end of this present government’s tenure, Assam will have 14 medical colleges.

“There is also the possibility of the inauguration of AIIMS at Changsari by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in November this year,” he informed.

Saying that Assam performed remarkably during the Covid period, he appreciated the health workers for their tireless service.

He stated that the State emerged as one of the top three most improved states in incremental performance in NITI Aayog’s health index for 2019-20.  The State Government is striving to make Guwahati a hub of medical tourism in SE Asia and infrastructure development is key to achieving that, he asserted.

Health Minister Keshab Mahanta, MP Queen Oja, MLA Ramendra Narayan Kalita were present at both the programmes along with others dignitaries.