Indira Gandhi Institute of Medical Sciences. Telegraph picture

Patna, Nov. 8: The fate of the medical students who took admission to Indira Gandhi Institute of Medical Sciences (IGIMS) in the state capital this year could hang in the balance next year.

For, the Medical Council of India (MCI) recognition to the college could be under scanner next year, as the proposed project to upgrade infrastructure and facilities for the health hub is pending with the state government. Sources said the health department is yet to get the cabinet nod for the project. Once it gets the permission, it will take two to three years to complete the project in a phase-wise manner. The MCI team is, however, scheduled to carry out its inspection in February or March next year.

A source said a detailed project report with an estimated cost of Rs 520 crore was submitted to the state government in 2009. According to the project, IGIMS would be upgraded to a 500-bed hospital.

A source said according to the MCI norms, a medical college should have at least 25 acres of land, recognition from UGC and adequate faculty to start an MBBS course. The institute also needs to have a 500-bed hospital to run a 100-seat medical college.

“The MCI had given provisional permission to IGIMS to start a MBBS course for 100 students this year. However, it could deny the permission next year, as the institution will not be in a position to accommodate a fresh batch of students. This will a loss to the state,” said a source.

He added: “In the past year, the department has not even got the cabinet approval for the project. The proposal also has provisions for sanctioning only Rs 25 crore for the project in the first phase. This would be a meagre amount. Nothing substantial can be done with this. The institute needs at least Rs 100 crore immediately to be able to construct buildings for the medical college and separate hostels for boys and girls.”

The project report, prepared by a private organisation, recommends complete revival of the facility. It also recommends 500 more beds, outpatients department, intensive care unit, a medical college building, hostels and other facilities. IGIMS director Dr Arun Kumar said all efforts were being made to comply with the MCI norms.

“Once we get the government’s approval for the project, tenders would be floated for the construction. Funding is the most important factor in timely and urgent construction of infrastructure,” he said.

State labour department principal secretary Vyasji, who also hold the additional charge of the health department, was unavailable for comment.