GUWAHATI, Jan 31 � From humble beginnings, it has struck deep roots. As it celebrates its golden jubilee, the Gauhati Medical College is poised to extend its healing touch over a large section of people of Assam and rest of the Northeast.
It was in June 1961 that Prof SN Sarma was transferred from Assam Medical College to take charge as the first Principal of Gauhati Medical College. Two years later, then Chief Minister, the late Bimala Prasad Chaliha formally laid the foundation stone of the college building.
The state�s premier healthcare institution, and the second medical college, is on a fast track of growth and its fraternity of doctors and students are elated to see the GMC reach a milestone. Dr Mandip Sarma, an intern told The Assam Tribune, �I and my friends consider ourselves privileged to have studied in an institution that has played such a vital role in our region. It has top-notch faculty and produced excellent doctors.�
He pointed out that the emergence of post-graduate courses and super specialities is a real blessing for students. Many of them serve the people of the region in hospitals and nursing homes.
Within half a century of its emergence, the college now has a student strength of nearly 1,400 of which 600 are in post-graduate courses. Around 500 highly qualified teachers mentor the students as they pursue a range of subjects.
The sense of being a part of a great institution is shared by young students who have come to the institution. Jupi Talukdar, a second year student said that the GMC�s hospital with its big indoor and outdoor patient load provided students with adequate exposure to a range of diseases.
�Apart from this, we have very knowledgeable faculties and advanced equipment to make us learn,� she remarked. The young medical student, however, felt the need for more opportunities in extra curricular activities so that holistic learning could take place.
While a large number of young doctors and students perceive the GMC as an institution of repute, doctors who have worked there for years believe that in order to build on its strengths it was equally important to identify and attend to its weaknesses.
A doctor, who did his post-graduation from the GMC said that it was high time that illegal settlers were removed from the campus. �For years they have encroached on government estate, and their presence would impede future expansion plans of the college,� he noted. He wants the boundary of the college to be demarcated during the golden jubilee celebrations.
Some of them believe that the identity of the GMC should be reinforced by bringing in brilliant academics to teach by building ties with other institutions. There should be more frequent CMEs and the government should provide incentives to more young doctors to join as teachers in the college.
Another major drawback for the institution has been a knee-jerk response to inspections which involve posting doctors in one of the State�s medical colleges for a short duration. For years, the practice has caused shortage of doctors in the GMC as well as in Assam Medical College and in Silchar Medical College.