SRIKAKULAM: The Rajiv Gandhi Institute of Medical Sciences (RIMS) here faces an uncertain future as it is hit by paucity of funds that has held up completion of work in various blocks and non-availability of faculty members.
As a result, the medical college is unlikely to get the nod from Medical Council of India (MCI) for 4th year MBBS as the MCI team which visited the hospital in the last two days has reportedly expressed serious concern over the state of affairs. Students are worried about their future.
The medical college which was started with an estimated cost of Rs. 130 crore five years ago could get only Rs. 50 crore so far.
Needs modernisation
Presently there are only six blocks and construction of the remaining seven blocks has been shelved for want of funds.
The existing general hospital has to be modernised apart from establishing trauma care centre at an estimated cost of Rs.3 crore.
The number of out patients has drastically come down. Internal roads and drainage are in a bad shape, causing inconvenience to the inpatients too.
MCI norms
As per the MCI norms, the medical college should have a playground of 25 acres apart from auditorium, required faculty and medical staff. The MCI which had granted permission up to 3rd year is not keen on permitting the 4th year. The institute requires 150 teaching staff but only 100 are on the rolls. Many of them are not keen on working in the college and are looking for better opportunities.
Delay in works
Government Doctors' Association district president T.V. Ramana Rao has expressed serious concern over neglect of the hospital by the authorities concerned. “All the doctors are fed up with the delay in completion of works pertaining to the medical college.
It will take at least another five years even if the government releases funds. Public representatives of the district have also failed to get funds from the government though they had claimed that RIMS was established only with their initiative,” he alleged.
RIMS Director D.V.V.S. Ramamurthy expressed his inability in getting funds for the college.
“We tried our level best to convince the medical and health authorities and public representatives for release of grants immediately. We need at least Rs.45 crore for the remaining seven blocks,” he said.