CHENNAI:The proposed medical college at the Omandurar Government Estate here has finally taken off, with the Medical Council of India (MCI) giving the approval to admit 100 students in the coming academic year. With this move, now there are 20 government medical colleges in Tamil Nadu, with a total of 2,655 seats.
The decision to grant permission was taken by the executive committee of the council that met recently, said officials.
Speaking to Express, MCI member Dr L P Thangavelu said that the inspection team was satisfied with the facilities in the college that paved way for the permission. The MCI team had carried out its final inspection on April 8. The official communication for this would reach from the Centre soon, he said.
A few of the medical colleges that are mandated to obtain permission yearly would receive them soon, he added.
Though the new medical college functions in the premises of the Multi Super Speciality Hospital, it is attached to the Government Kasturba Gandhi General Hospital (KGGH), Triplicane. The norms for giving permission for new medical college includes a mandate that it should be attached to a general hospital that is at least three years old. Hence, the KGGH was elevated to a general hospital for obtaining the permission to run the medical college.
With these 100 seats, the total number of medical seats available in government medical colleges will be increased to 2,655. Of the 100 seats, 85 will be allotted for State quota and the rest for candidates from the all India quota.
The State government had allotted Rs 200 crore for the construction of the medical college and an additional Rs 12 crore to purchase medical equipment.
Seven buildings at Omandurar Government Estate will house various specialty departments. One building will be allotted for classrooms, laboratories and department units.