Meghalaya plans to operate SMCH on PPP mode

The state government is once again looking to operate the proposed Shillong Medical College and Hospital (SMCH) on a public-private-partnership (PPP) mode.

Speaking to media persons here on Thursday, Chief Minister Conrad Sangma said that the government has held discussions with some partners for the medical college and the matter is being pursued.

The government has already identified around 50 acres of land in NST and talks are said to be under way.

Admitting that running a medical college is not an easy task as apart from paying the running expenses which runs into crores of rupees, he added that availability of doctors and professors would also be a huge challenge as many would not like to come to this part of the country.

With PPP mode, which the CM said is the “idealistic way to go ahead”, the state may get less number of seats but if the state’s investment is justified, it will get a fair share of seats, as per Conrad Sangma.

Exuding confidence that 4-5 medical colleges should come up in the state, Conrad, however, said it would be a huge challenge for the state government even to construct one. As far as the cancer wing is concerned, the chief minister said that the government is opting for a holistic approach with eye on large-scale screening and early detection of cancer, while adding that depending on the financial involvement, the government will even explore the idea of having a full-fledged cancer hospital. The Shillong Times