Govt mulling revised guidelines for medical education in NE

NEW DELHI, July 3 – With a view to encouraging medical education in the northeast, the Government today said it was considering revised guidelines for the region with regard to the establishment of medical colleges.Observing that the North Eastern states were a priority area for the Government, Union Health Minister Anbumani Ramadoss said, keeping in mind the special needs of the region, the Central Government is actively considering revised guidelines for the region with regard to establishment of medical colleges.The relaxation regarding number of beds and patient load are under consideration for establishing medical colleges in North Eastern region, he told Meghalaya Chief Minister Donkupar Roy who called on him last evening.With regard to the state's request for a change in the selection criteria for North Eastern Indira Gandhi Regional Institute of Health and Medical Sciences (NEIGRIHMS), Shillong, the Minister said that the proposal will be considered in the context of norms and requirements of similar autonomous institutions established by the Government of India.He asked the Meghalaya Government to establish nursing colleges to meet the growing requirement of medical staff. “The Central Government will provide due support for such colleges,” he said.The Health Minister also emphasised on an improved infrastructure for controlling the mosquito menace. He assured the Chief Minister that the Union Government is actively working to ensure malaria offices in all the districts of North Eastern States. – PTI