SHILLONG, Sept 13 (NNN): The MBBS course provided by the North East indira Gandhi Regional Institute of Health and Medical Sciences (NEIGHRIMS) in Shillong is not recognised by the Medical Council of India (MCI), according to Meghalaya deputy chief Minister in charge of health and family welfare Rowell Lyngdoh.
Answering to questions raised by the legislators on the third day of the autumn session of the state assembly on Tuesday, Lyngdoh said that the approval of the Union minister of health to start the MBBS course at NEIGHRIMS has been obtained but the ministry has not asked the MCI to have an inspection of the institute.
While members cutting across party lines bemoan on the MCI non-recognition of the medical institute located in the region, the deputy chief minister was on a defensive. While informing that the state government of Meghalaya has taken up the issue with the Union ministry and the governing council of NEIGHRIMS, the Meghalaya deputy chief minister failed to assure the house on the tentative period when the NEIGHRIMS` MBBS course will get the recognition.
“I cannot assure you on this neither on the degree to be conferred except that the institute is affiliated to NEHU”, stated Lyngdoh.
Mentionably, NEIGHRIMS started the MBBS course three years ago. The non recognition of the course offered drew the ire of the students who even held a series of agitation during June and July this year.
