The status of Nagaland medical college project at Phriebagie, Kohima as of April 30, 2022 is shown in this photo released to the media by the State Government via DIPR on May 21. (DIPR Photo/Handout)
Kohima, May 21 (MExN): All works for the construction of Nagaland’s medical college at Phriebagie, Kohima are in “full swing,” the State Government clarified today, further ruling out grounding of works or exhaustion of funds.
The college, now christened Nagaland Institute of Medical Science and Research (NIMSR), was approved at the estimated cost of Rs 189 crore under the Centrally Sponsored Scheme (CSS) in 2014, with funding pattern of 90:10 between the Centre and the State.
Accordingly, the Central Government has already released its share of Rs 170.10 crore for the project.
In a statement issued via the DIPR, the State Government repudiated reports that the project has been halted due to exhaustion of fund.
Out of Rs 170.10 crore released by the centre, Rs 77.73 crore have been utilised till date and the balance amount is available with the State Government, it claimed.
The project was never grounded nor exhaustion of funds as reported, it asserted, indicating that ‘all is well’ with the project.
Meanwhile, the State Government maintained that it only approached the Nagaland University, for no reason other than searching the best option of the college.
"Considering the absence of iconic National Institutions in the State and limited financial and human resources, it is felt that the Medical College will be best run as a Central Institute, whereby the college may be even brought under the control of Nagaland University as practiced elsewhere,” the State Government claimed.
“However, the Central Government has conveyed its inability,” it added.
From NHAK to Phriebagie: Snail pace
Meanwhile, giving a background of the project, the State Government informed that Union of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW) approved the establishment of the Medical College in 2014 with an intake capacity of 100 MBBS seats at District Hospital Kohima (NHAK) at the cost of Rs 189 crore under the CSS for "establishment of new medical colleges by upgrading district/referral hospitals."
As per the guideline of the scheme, one of the eligibility criteria was District Hospitals/referral hospital with bed strength of 200 or more while private hospitals were not eligible.
Initially, the college was to function from two plots - administrative, academic, hostels, and staff quarters at Phriebagie, and the Teaching Hospital at NHAK, a permissible arrangement under the Regulations of National Medical Commission (NMC).
However, given the difficulty of developing the NHAK to 500-bedded Teaching Hospital, a criterion for 3rd Inspection as per the Regulations of NMC, due space constraints and instability of land at the NHAK campus, it was shifted to Phriebagie.
The construction of a 150-bedded hospital at Phriebagie through State Resources is nearing completion while the department has approached JICA (Japan International Cooperation Agency) for setting up a 400-bedded Teaching Hospital, the State Government informed.
Justifying the delay of completion of the project, the State Government further informed that while the Government of India approved the same in 2014, acquisition of land was completed only in February 2018.
The Master plan was approved in October 2018 and construction works commenced from 2019.
However, execution of works was severely affected during the COVID-19 pandemic, it added.
“Despite the initial delay, all works are in full swing construction works are expected to complete within this year,” it asserted.
To demonstrate that the project is progressively nearing completion, the State Government further informed that total of 60 posts under various categories, required for obtaining Letter of Permission (LOP) from NMC, has been already been created.
Advertisement for the post Director has been already published nationally on May 11 and advertisement for the remaining posts will be issued shortly, it said.
Status of Medical College in Mon
In connection with setting up of the Medical College in Mon, the State Government also informed that the Central Government has released Rs 232.23 crore out of total approved cost of Rs 325 crore.
The State Government has acquired 90 acres of land in Mon village, about 3 km away from the existing District Hospital Mon, it said.
The soil survey, contour survey works, preliminary works at the site including construction of road etc have been initiated while the bid documents and technical details for the remaining works have also been taken up, it maintained.
As per the timeline finalised with the experts and the department, works are expected to start by the 3rd Quarter of this year, it added.
HC’s regular reproach
It must be noted here that the Kohima Bench of Gauhati High Court, on April 12 last, rapped the State Government, represented by Chief Secretary, for not filing an affidavit on the status of Kohima medical college as it directed on February 22.
The February 22 order had directed the State’s Chief Secretary to file a comprehensive affidavit showing how the “medical college project would be completed within the shortest time and how the Government will ensure starting of the college this year.”
The Bench is currently hearing a batch of analogous Public Interest Litigation (PIL) on matters relating to quality health services as per the Indian Public Health Standard Guidelines in Nagaland, has been regularly issuing direction regarding the medical college.
Listing the matter for hearing again on July 27, the Bench stated that the CS fails to file the affidavit as “required on or before the date given, he (CS) along with the Principal Secretary, Health and Family Welfare shall appear in person.”
