Tripura Santiniketan Medical College: In a significant boost to medical education in Tripura, the National Medical Council (NMC) has granted approval for 150 MBBS seats at the Tripura Santiniketan Medical College (TSMC). The decision, announced by Tripura Chief Minister Manik Saha, comes as a welcome relief for aspiring medical students in the state.
The private medical college, located in Ranirkhamar, West Tripura district, will commence its MBBS course from the 2024-25 academic year. The Tripura University has also issued a Consent of Affiliation to the TSMC, paving the way for its operation.
Chief Minister Saha, who holds the health portfolio, emphasized that 50% of the total MBBS seats will be reserved for students from Tripura, ensuring that local talent has ample opportunities to pursue medical education.
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However, the exorbitant fees charged by the medical college have raised concerns among many. The MBBS course is reportedly priced around Rs 1 crore, which is significantly higher than the socio-economic conditions of the state. This has limited access to medical education for many meritorious students.
The medical college operates under a Swadhin trust from West Bengal.
Opposition leaders Jitendra Chaudhury and Sudip Roy Barman expressed concerns about the process through which the private medical college was granted permission for admissions.
In response, Chief Minister Saha clarified that the state government is committed to fostering a conducive environment for business and investment in Tripura. He emphasized that stringent financial checks were conducted on the trust to ensure its capability to manage the medical college.
The state government has also extended its support to the TSMC by allowing the use of a portion of the state-run IGM Hospital for training purposes. The chief minister assured that the government will closely monitor the functioning of the college and take appropriate measures if any issues arise.
With the NMC’s approval and the state government’s support, the Tripura Santiniketan Medical College is poised to play a crucial role in enhancing healthcare services and medical education in Tripura.
