BARPETA, Feb 11 � Development of all areas of the State is our goal and no hindrance whatsoever can stop us from attaining this,� said Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi, while addressing a public meeting organised on the occassion of the inauguration of the hospital wing of the much hyped Fakhruddin Ali Ahmed Medical College and Hospital here this noon.
Stating that Bikashita Asom is the goal, he lauded the support and cooperation of the people of Assam in achieving it. The blessings of God and the poorer section of the people of the State is with us and we are committed to do more for their uplift,� he said.
The Chief Minister also announced construction of two guest houses for the patients and attendants of the hospital. while one of the guest houses will be named after Mahendra Mohan Choudhury, former Chief Minister of the State, the other one will be named after Mathura Das Burha Ata, the first Satradhikar of historic Barpeta Satra.
Addressing the meeting, Dr Himanta Biswa Sarma State Minister for Health and Family Welfare, informed that after completion this college will be one of the best in the State. He informed that 77 faculties, out of 175 sanctioned, have already joined the hospital. Explaining the reason behind the inauguration of the hospital wing of the college and not in its full form, Dr Sarma said that in order to get recognition from the Medical Council of India, a medical college has to have a hospital with not less than 300 beds one. He expressed the hope that work will progress in the expected way and admission to the medical college will be possible next year.
Dr Kabul Ch Saikia in his inaugural address informed that the present bed strenght of the hospital is 300 but after completion it will have 500 beds. There will be as many as 19 well-equipped departments, including medicine, surgery and pardiatric units.
Anowara Taimur, ex MP, also addressed the meeting. Members of the Legislative Assembly, Dr Tara Prasad Das, Abdul Khaleque and Dr Malaya Barman, DC of Barpeta, Phanidhar Kalita, AC Bordoloi and several officers and distinguished persons were also present on the occassion.
It may be mentioned here that the foundation stone of the Fakhiruddin Ali Ahmed Medical College was laid by UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi exactly five years back on February 11, 2006 and bhumi pujan was held on the June 18, 2008 by the Health Minister of the State Dr Himanta Biswa Sarma. The Health Minister announced on that day that the work on the project will be completed within two years, the actual work, however, began on the December 19 of that year and as a result only 50 percent of works has been completed so far.
