'Government all for starting MBBS classes at Parippally'

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The government is all ready for starting the first MBBS course at the ESIC Medical College at Parippally in Kollam in the current academic year once the Medical Council of India gives the permission, Health Minister K K Shylaja has said.

She said that the government had done everything positive for getting the first batch of MBBS at the ESIC Medical College. ''We have already written to the Centre as well as the MCI for getting the permission. The government has already created 108 posts at the medical college,'' she said.

The government was given time till July 23 to submit the proposal, but the minister said that the proposal had been submitted much earlier for getting the seats.  

As far as the faculty is concerned, Health Secretary Rajeev Sadanandan said that the necessary numbers have been posted at the medical college. The only shortage that is being faced is with respect to the nursing staff, which would also be addressed at the earliest, he added.

Once the recognition is obtained, the state would get 100 more seats.

There was much criticism against the delay in starting the medical college.

Despite the former UDF Government getting the recognition  much earlier, it was alleged that the Chandy government had taken no steps for filling the posts.