Itanagar: Arunachal Pradesh's first medical college, Tomo Riba Institute of Health and Medical Sciences, started its maiden academic session on Tuesday with chief minister Pema Khandu handing out letters of admission to the first batch of MBBS students.

"Today is a historic day for Arunachal Pradesh in healthcare and medical education. I express my appreciation and congratulations to all who worked with zeal and enthusiasm to make this dream of a medical college a reality," Khandu said.

He said a medical college and hospital is a blessing for the people who had to travel outside for medical education and treatment. He thanked former chief ministers Dorjee Khandu, Jarbom Gamlin, Kalikho Pul and Nabam Tuki for their contribution to set up the medical college.

Khandu thanked the faculty members for joining the medical college. "I would like to especially thank professor P. Jayakumar, the dean."

He congratulated the first batch of students, faculty, administrators and employees for being a part of history.

The chief minister expressed gratitude to Medical Council of India president Jayshree Mehta. "I believe the MCI will continue its support and guidance for growth of this institution," Khandu said.

He said the institute has filled up 39 seats from the state quota and was waiting to fill another 11 seats under the central and NRI quotas. However, they will be filled from the state quota if they remain unfilled, he said. Khandu said the college plans to increase the intake from 50 to 100 in two years and increase the beds from 300 to 500.

He said post-graduate courses in para-clinical and clinical subjects will be introduced in three to five years. He said the departments of cardiology, paediatric surgery and oncology will be added in a year while that of urology, neurosurgery and gastroenterology will be set up in two to five years. An emergency and trauma care centre will also be set up, he said.

Deputy chief minister Chowna Mein called on all stakeholders to devote their best efforts to make it one of the best medical institutes in the country. Health minister Alo Libang requested the MCI for considering the request of the state government to increase the seats and beds. Mehta hoped it will emerge as one of the best medical colleges.

Chief secretary Satya Gopal and institute director Moji Jini also spoke.

Public health engineering department minister Wangki Lowang and Tuki were present.