Bihar's Purnea medical college gets NMC nod for 100 MBBS seats in '23-24

Patna: National Medical Commission (NMC) on Tuesday approved the Purnea medical college with 100 MBBS students for the academic session 2023-24. With this, the number of government medical colleges in the state has gone up to ten and MBBS seats in government institutes up to 1100.

Health department additional chief secretary Pratyaya Amrit called it a big achievement in the field of health infrastructure.

As per the letter from NMC addressed to the dean or the principal of the Purnea government medical college, the approval has been given after the medical assessment and rating board (MARB) of NMC examined the infrastructure required, including laboratories, library, hostel, hospital, faculty members and their experience along with tutors and paramedical staff. However, it added that admissions will start only after formal permission from the MARB.

Former dean of Aryabhatta Knowledge University (AKU), Dr Rajiv Ranjan Prasad, said the new government medical college will bring a big change in that region. "Though there are private medical colleges in Katihar and Kishanganj, this one is the first government medical college in the entire Kosi region and will play an important role," he said, adding the area holds international importance as it shares border with Nepal from where people come for medical treatment.

When asked about permission needed from MARB before taking admissions, he replied, "It will not take much time. In fact, counselling for admission to MBBS is expected to begin in a fortnight and by that time MARB will also give a go-ahead for admissions at Purnea medical college."

A senior AKU official said, "Patna Medical College and Hospital and Darbhanga Medical College and Hospital have 150 MBBS seats each. Rest others have 100 MBBS seats."