PMC has begun preparations for launch of Atal Bihari Vajpayee Medical College

PUNE: With the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) intending to open a medical college in former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee’s name this academic year, the municipal body’s standing committee has authorised a total of 1.97 crore for furniture and over 62 lakh for the first purchase of various books.

“The PMC has gotten all the requisite permits for building a new medical institution in the name of former Prime Minister late Atal Bihari Vajpayee,” said standing committee chairman Hemant Rasane. The PMC is putting up the appropriate equipment at Baburao Sanas school as admissions begin this year.” Staff recruitment for the medical college is nearing completion, according to Rasane, and the standing committee has authorised a budget of 62.51 lakh for the purchase of various publications.

Earlier on October 16, the central government gave its clearance for the PMC-run Atal Bihari Vajpayee Medical College to begin from this academic year. The medical college will be located at and attached to the Kamala Nehru hospital and Naidu hospital in the city. This year, a total 100 students will get admission and constitute the first batch.

A central government team had previously visited the PMC and raised objections but the mayor and municipal commissioner Vikram Kumar subsequently met Union health minister Mansukh Mandaviya in the capital to sort out various issues.

Rasane said, “The PMC has established the pathological ward at Kamala Nehru hospital which spans an area of 2,200 square feet. The standing committee has already decided to run this ward with the help of Poona Medical and Relief and Research Centre.” The PMC has also approved the rates for various tests and all tests will have to be conducted at the decided rates only.

After B J Medical college, the Atal Bihari Vajpayee Medical College will be the second government-run medical college in the city. The PMC has formed a trust to run the college and is hoping that trainees from the college will serve in PMC-run hospitals.