Cuttack, June 6: A three-member government team today visited the S.C.B. Medical College and Hospital to make fresh assessment of the infrastructure and staff in connection with the government’s proposal to increase the MBBS seats from 150 to 250.

The team, led by director of medical education and training Prasanna Das, visited different departments of the hospital reviewing the necessary facilities such as staff and infrastructure, including equipment and clinical facilities, of the hospital.

“Today, the team made a preliminary survey of a number of departments and infrastructure at the hospital. The team will again take a detailed stock of the available infrastructure and facilities here tomorrow,” hospital superintendent D.N. Maharana told The Telegraph.

“The team will submit a report on the available infrastructure and manpower to the government for submission to the Medical Council of India (MCI) for the purpose of increasing the number of MBBS seats,” Maharana said.

Official sources said the government had earlier submitted a proposal to the MCI for increase in the number of MBBS seats in the medical college from 150 to 250.

The MCI had, however, asked the government to first submit a detailed report on the available infrastructure and manpower and possible increase in phased manner.

The MBBS seats of the medical college were increased to 150 for the 2003-04 academic year.

In 2005-06, 2006-07 and 2007-08, the renewals were made after the government assured that development of infrastructure and facilities had already been under way.

As per the guidelines, the medical college that seeks enhancement of MBBS seats intake is reviewed every year for five years to take stock of the achievements of annual targets fixed by the MCI.