Officials of the prestigious Rajiv Gandhi Institute of Medical Sciences (RIMS), sanctioned by the then Rajasekhara Reddy government, are leaving no stone unturned to meet the norms of the Medical Council of India (MCI) for taking students at least from the coming academic year.
Ahead of the visit of an MCI team in early March for inspection, RIMS Director B. Anjaiah told The Hindu on Friday: “We have created all the facilities as per the MCI requirements for taking up the first year admissions. We are hoping that the apex body will give its nod now.”
“A 300-bed functioning hospital is in place with animal house, mortuary, additional 800 square metres of library, acute medical care centre, intensive care unit, trauma care centre, lecture halls and boys and girls hostel,” Dr. Anjaiah said.
Medical and Health Principal Secretary P.V. Ramesh and The A. P. Health, Medical Housing and Infrastructure Development Corporation (APHMHIDC) Chief Engineer G. Ramakishan Rao will hold a review meeting with Prakasam district officials led by District Collector Kantilal Dande on Saturday to ensure that all the loose ends were tied up before the MCI team's visit.
Sanction of funds
Though the State government had sanctioned three RIMS at Ongole, Srikakulam and Adilabad in 2006 at a cost of Rs. 100 crore each for admitting 100 students each, construction in 37.23 acres of land here was started only in 2008 and could not be completed in time for various reasons including delay in handing over of land and cost escalation, resulting in the State losing 100 medical seats each in the last two years.
The government has so far sanctioned Rs. 125 crore and released Rs. 93.96 crore, while the APHMHIDC has sought approval for Rs. 170 crore, including Rs. 3.27 crore for internal roads and Rs. 1.90 crore for a compound wall.
