Union Health and Family Welfare Minister JP Nadda and Chief Minister Raman Singh on Saturday inaugurated the long-awaited new Government Medical College in Ambikapur, headquarters of poverty-hit Surguja division.
Nadda congratulated people of tribal-dominated Surguja people on inauguration of Medical College where classes for first year students of MBBS began.
Nadda said that pursuing primary, middle and higher secondary education and availing the provisions of Government is right of every student, but pursuing MBBS is not only a right of students but also a way to support society and acknowledge the contribution of Government.
He added that education in MBBS course in Government medical colleges cannot be done merely on the basis of fees but only with the contribution of society and government. He said, “being successful doesn’t mean that one should lose themselves in the materialistic abundance of city life and forget their roots in villages.”
He advised students that once they become doctors, they should not hesitate to render services in villages, so that none of the health centre in Surguja region faces shortage of doctors. He described the occasion ‘a historical day for Surguja area’ and establishment of medical college here is a big leap towards development.
He said that the new medical college will help students from rural areas to pursue medical education. This medical college will churn out doctors that will service state and the nation.
Union Minister stated, “I have been the in-charge of Chhattisgarh, which is why I have emotional attachment to Balrampur, Koriya, Surguja, Jashpur and Surajpur area’’.
While presiding over the programme, Chief Minister Raman Singh said, “inauguration of medical college is not only a moment of pride of Surguja but for the State as a whole’’. He remarked that Union Health Minister Nadda was personally involved in ensuring that this medical college gets recognition.
He thanked Nadda for slackening rules in larger interest of people of Surguja. He added that approval of 100 seats for this medical college has not only provided opportunity to deserving students but has also saved an year of those students, who could have missed the opportunity to take admission due to lack of seats and would have had to appear for PMT again next year.
Singh opined that private medical college charge nearly 30-35 lakhs for MBBS course, while Government medical college charges fees of only ` 50 thousand for the course.
He added that when he took charge as Chief Minister the numbers of seats in the State were only 200 but now there are total 11 medical colleges in state including AIIMS, which includes six government medical colleges. Chief Minister said that establishing one medical college required investment of around ` 400 crore by state government. He informed 40 acres of land has been allotted for this medical college, where well-equipped building will be constructed.
On the occasion, Union Minister of State for Steel Vishnudeo Sai, Minister In-charge for Surguja district Brijmohan Agrawal, Health and Family Welfare Minister Ajay Chandrakar, Home Minister Ramsevak Paikra, Sports and Youth Welfare Minister Bhaiyalal Rajwade, Surguja MP Kamalbhan Singh, Rajya Sabha member Ramvichar Netam, leader of Opposition in Vidhan Sabha TS Singhdeo, lundra MlA Chintamani Maharaj, Sitapur MlA Amarjeet Bhagat, Samri MlA Preetam Ram, Sonhat MlA Champadevi Pawle and Mayor of Ambikapur Municipal Corporation Ajay Tirkey and senior officials attended the function.