GMCH Purnia Undergoes NMC Inspection to begin MBBS course

The COVID-19 pandemic saw a dearth of medical professionals in the country and the entire medical fraternity was overworked and understaffed. Efforts are being made by the government to increase the quality of existing medical institutions and establish new, well-equipped medical institutions in India.

Diplomate of National Board (DNB) courses have already started at the GMC in obstetrics and gynaecology, paediatrics and general medicine, which were allotted 12 seats each in March this year.

The foundation for the medical college and hospital was laid virtually by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in 2019. The construction work was carried out by Bihar Medical Services and Infrastructure Corporation Limited (BMSICL) at a cost of ₹365.58 crore. The building is almost ready and its superintendent and principal, besides 28 doctors and resident professors, have already been appointed. Besides these, 32 doctors of Sadar Hospital at Purnia will be accommodated in the GMCH.

Speaking to HT on the recent inspection and further development for the medical college, Civil surgeon Dr Santosh Kumar Verma said, "The GMCH will be inaugurated soon after the final nod of the NMC. By March 2022, it is expected to be fully operational."

The facility is spread over 23 acres of land of Sadar Hospital in Purnia. Sadar Hospital will be handed over to GMCH, which will have 500 beds and 50 ICUs, 9 modular operation theatres, 519-bed hostel for students and a dharmshala of 200 beds for the attendants of the patients.

With GMCH at Purnia, there will be 12 government medical colleges in Bihar, including AIIMS and IGIMS, which will have a total of 2,040 MBBS seats.