Government announces new medical college in Leh to boost medical education in region

Central Government has approved establishment of a new medical college in Leh district of the newly created Ladakh Union Territory. As per the latest update, the decision to setup a new medical college in Ladakh has been taken following the requests from the locals about healthcare facilities available in the Himalayan region. As per the official update, the new medical college in Leh district is expected to ‘revitalize health and medical education’ in the region. The decision was taken by the Central Government on 23rd September 2019 and has been received very well by the people of Ladakh.

Detailed Project Proposal Prepared

As per the media briefing, the Health and Medical Education Department has compiled a detailed project report (DPR) for the establishment of the new medical college in Leh district. As part of the preparation of DPR, the Medical Education Department has also identified 201 kanals of land at Shey Sindhu Ghat village for the establishment of Medical College, in consultation with Deputy Commissioner Leh and Ladakh Hill Development Council (LHDC).

Total Cost and Budget Allocation

The total cost of construction of the new medical college is expected to be around Rs 325 crores, which will be approved and allocated by the Central Government following sanction of the DRP report. Of the total, Rs 115 Crore has been earmarked for hostel and residence for students and Rs 80 crore for faculty, Rs 70 crore will be spent on medical equipment and Rs 60 crore for upgradation of teaching hospital, the spokesman said.

Boost Healthcare Infrastructure and Development in Ladakh

The report also highlights various facets related to construction of the Government Medical College in line with the norms put down by the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare. The new medical college in Leh will be part of the 75 new medical colleges planned by the Central Government throughout the country. Locals from Leh and Ladakh region have welcomed the Government’s decision to establish the new medical college as it will help boost healthcare infrastructure in the region and also will be a step in the right direction as far as efforts for the development of Ladakh region is concerned.

SNM Hospital to be upgraded

Along with the establishment of new medical college in Ladakh, the Central Government is also planning to upgrade the existing 300-bed SNM Hospital at Leh to a 500 bed facility. As part of the upgrade of the hospital, SNM Hospital will be equipped with a new emergency block, OPD block and diagnostic block.