Assam Medical College to Undergo Major Transformation with ₹357 Crore Project
Significant Infrastructure Development at Assam Medical College
Dibrugarh, July 24: In a significant move towards enhancing healthcare facilities, Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma laid the foundation stone for a ₹357 crore project at Assam Medical College and Hospital (AMCH) in Dibrugarh on Thursday. This initiative aims to elevate the institution into a premier medical center.
The ambitious project will cover an area of 504 bighas, focusing on modernizing the state's oldest medical college.
“For many years, insufficient funding hindered the development of essential residential infrastructure at AMCH. During my previous visit, I committed to a ₹300 crore investment for development. Today, we are initiating projects worth ₹357 crore in this first phase,” Sarma stated.
Plans include two additional phases to fulfill the vision of establishing ₹1,000 crore worth of residential facilities for the college.
Additionally, the Chief Minister revealed a ₹206 crore initiative to upgrade Berry White Hospital, the historic predecessor of AMCH, into a modern city hospital while maintaining its legacy and improving urban healthcare access.
Highlighting advancements in medical technology, Sarma mentioned the installation of three 3-TESLA MRI machines at AMCH, financed through the ZIKA loan initiative. “This demonstrates our dedication to equipping Assam’s healthcare institutions with state-of-the-art technology,” he remarked.
Reflecting on the institution's evolution from 57 MBBS students in 1947 to 200 seats today, Sarma expressed the government's goal to increase capacity to 250 by year-end.
“Our objective is to position AMCH as a critical-care hub not only for Upper Assam but for the entire state,” he added.
The Chief Minister outlined a comprehensive strategy to establish Assam as a leader in medical education. Currently, 26 government medical colleges are under construction, with plans to reach a total of 30 by 2035, alongside an additional 30 in the private sector, totaling 60 institutions.
“Once the government colleges are operational, we will welcome private entities. Numerous proposals have already been received. Our goal is to ensure Assam generates sufficient manpower to independently manage these institutions,” he explained.
To support this initiative, the government has approved the recruitment of 500 doctors this year, aiming for an annual target of 1,000 by 2030.
Sarma anticipates that by the end of the decade, Assam will produce 1,500 MBBS graduates annually, adequately meeting the needs of both public and private healthcare sectors.
Upcoming enhancements at AMCH include:
- Senior faculty residences: 2 blocks (40 flats)
- Junior faculty residences: 3 blocks (60 flats)
- Grade III & IV staff residences: 14 blocks (312 flats)
- Residences for Principal, Vice-Principal, and Medical Superintendent
- MBBS hostels: 500-capacity (female) & 225-capacity (male)
- PG hostels: 232-capacity (female) & 200-capacity (male)
- GNM hostel: 250 students
- Dining block and community hall