Assam to have 24 medical colleges by 2029: New colleges announced in Darrang, Hojai and Hailakandi

Syllad | The Rising MeghalayaFebruary 2, 2025

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Saturday reaffirmed the state’s ambitious goal of establishing 24 medical colleges by 2029, with new institutions planned in Darrang, Hojai, and Hailakandi under the upcoming budget.

Speaking at the inauguration of OPD services at Pragjyotishpur Medical College and Hospital, Sarma emphasized the rapid expansion of Assam’s medical education sector. From just three medical colleges in 2006, Assam now boasts 14 medical colleges, with 13 recognized by the Indian Medical Council and over 1,700 students enrolled. Future institutions in Bongaigaon, Biswanath, Golaghat, Charaideo, and Morigaon will further strengthen healthcare access across the state.

Sarma highlighted the long-standing challenges in managing human resources, particularly about staff leave, employment matters, and administrative tasks, as the state witnessed a significant rise in medical colleges. To address these issues, the government developed a Human Resource Management System (HRMS) leveraging information technology to streamline data collection and enable timely decision-making.

The Chief Minister announced the successful launch of the Rs 2.5 crore HRMS software, tailored for the employees of Assam’s medical colleges. He also shared the opening of a facilitation centre at the Assam Medical College in Dibrugarh, where dedicated volunteers would assist and guide tea garden workers in availing themselves of essential medical services, such as blood banks, CT scans, and more. Looking ahead, he affirmed that the HRMS system would soon be expanded to other medical colleges across the state, reinforcing Assam’s commitment to integrating technology for efficient healthcare administration.

The state government, in collaboration with the Tata Trust, has established the Assam Cancer Care Foundation, a key milestone in the battle against cancer. With 17 cancer care institutions now operational, the initiative has drastically improved access to treatment. Acknowledging the Prime Minister’s role in securing vaccines for cervical and uterine cancer, the Chief Minister highlighted the state’s strengthened cancer care infrastructure. Additionally, the Assam Cancer Care Foundation’s focus on early detection screenings and community outreach has culminated in the launch of a massive cancer screening programme for 1 crore people, underscoring Assam’s resolute commitment to accessible cancer care.

The Chief Minister underscored that with the inauguration of the Pragjyotishpur Medical College and Hospital today and the planned establishment of additional medical colleges by 2029, Assam is poised to emerge as a leader in healthcare. He attributed this significant advancement to the forward-thinking initiatives of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, whose vision has been instrumental in shaping the state’s progress.

The event was graced by the Minister of Health and Family Welfare etc. Ashok Singhal, MLA Ramendra Narayan Kalita, Mayor of Guwahati Mrigen Sarania, Commissioner & Secretary of the Medical Education & Research Department Siddharth Singh, Director of Medical Education Anup Kr. Barman, Special Commissioner & Special Secretary of the Public Works Building & NH Department Raj Chakrabarty, Principal of the Pragjyotishpur Medical College and Hospital Dr. Basanta Kumar Baishya, CEO of Assam Cancer Care Foundation Dr (Maj Gen) Jai Prakash Prasad, Project Director Gautam Chintey, Circle Head of Indus Towers Vijay Dhekial, professors, teachers, and key figures from the medical college, along with senior officials from the Health Department.