Shillong: In a significant stride towards bolstering medical education and healthcare infrastructure, the Meghalaya government has put in place a comprehensive administrative structure for the much-anticipated Shillong Medical College and Hospital, poised to commence operations later this year. This strategic move underscores the state’s unwavering commitment to establishing a top-tier medical institution adhering to national benchmarks.
The bedrock of this new edifice is the 15-member Shillong Medical College Council, helmed by the college dean. This council is not merely a formality; it’s the principal academic governing body, entrusted with the crucial task of sculpting the institution’s academic future. Its responsibilities are manifold, ranging from crafting academic policies and implementing rigorous curriculum standards to ensuring seamless compliance with the National Medical Council’s stringent regulations.
Beyond the academic realm, the council’s vigilant eye will extend to monitoring teaching quality, overseeing clinical training programmes, and fostering a robust environment for research activities. It will also play a pivotal role in coordinating vital faculty development initiatives, ensuring that the educators are always at the cutting edge. Furthermore, the body will provide indispensable input on infrastructure development, meticulously assessing staffing requirements, and fortifying academic support systems.
A notable and particularly reassuring development is the formation of a Fees Committee under the Health and Family Welfare Department. This committee, chaired by Commissioner and Secretary Joram Beda and comprising representatives from various departments alongside a seasoned chartered accountant, is specifically designed to bring transparency and fairness to tuition costs for both medical and nursing students across government institutions.
This committee wields considerable authority to scrutinise proposed fee structures with a fine-tooth comb, ensuring that they are devoid of any profiteering practices. Once approved, these fee structures will remain cast in stone for a period of three years, offering much-needed financial predictability and peace of mind to students and their families as they embark on their demanding medical education journey.
The government’s foresight extends to student welfare and safety, with the establishment of several specialised committees. The *Anti-Ragging Committee, also chaired by the college dean, is mandated to rigorously enforce anti-ragging policies and conduct impactful awareness programmes to foster a safe and respectful campus environment. Complementing this is the *Gender Harassment Committee, led by the Head of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, dedicated to promptly and sensitively addressing any gender-related issues that may arise on campus.
Patient safety, a paramount concern, receives dedicated attention through the Pharmacovigilance Committee. This committee will meticulously monitor drug safety by assiduously tracking adverse drug reactions and maintaining crucial connections with India’s national pharmacovigilance programme. It will also be responsible for training staff on essential safety protocols and offering pertinent recommendations for formulary updates, ensuring that patient care is always optimal.
Finally, the Curriculum Committee, again headed by the dean, will provide overarching oversight of academic policies, ensuring absolute alignment with the National Medical Council’s comprehensive guidelines. This includes the implementation of the progressive Competency-Based Medical Education framework, the integration of vital ethics modules, and the provision of early clinical exposure programmes – all foundational pillars of modern, holistic medical education.