Nilphamari Medical College: Students suffer for want of permanent campus
Nilphamari Medical College, that was established two years ago, is yet to get its permanent campus to run the academic and administrative activities.
The medical college is now running its activities on three-storey extension building of Nilphamari Diabetic Association beside Nilphamari-Domar road at Palashbari village in Sadar upazila as the construction work of the permanent infrastructure at the college is still under process.
“The authorities have given us to use the building without rent,” said Dr Md Rabiul Islam Shah, principal of the college.
A total of 50 students from the national merit list got admitted to the medical college for second time in January this year but the college is yet to get its permanent campus, he said.
At the end of 2018, the prime minister had given final recommendation to set up five new medical colleges in Nilphamari, Chandpur, Naogaon, Netrakona and Magura.
After the announcement, the health ministry started functioning of Nilphamari Medical College by admitting 50 students. The first batch of students is now promoted to second year.
Initially, the government appointed 12 teachers, including the principal, and a few officials besides allocating some furniture, practical instruments, projector and 800 books for library, said the accountant of the medical college.
Primarily, the medical college started its academic activities on the ground floor of the 250-bed Sadar Hospital in the district town, said principal Rabiul Islam, adding, that later Nilphamari Diabetic Association, a local voluntary organisation, gave them to use its three-storey extension building without rent.
The second floor of the building is being used as a male students’ hostel while local guest house of Danish-Bangladesh Leprosy Mission as girls’ hostel, he said.
“At initial stage, the authorities of Palashbari Degree College and Palashbari Girls’ School also provided us benches and tables to run classes,” said the principal.
Mujibul Huque Chowdhury Shahin, secretary of Nilphamari Diabetic Association, said “We have allowed Nilphamari Medical College to use our extension building free of cost until its new infrastructure is constructed.”
Civil Surgeon Ranjit Kumar Barman said when the first batch of students will be promoted to third year in 2021, the students will be given opportunity to attend practical classes in 250-bed modernised hospital.
Second-year student Md Imran Hossain said “We are suffering for want of a well-equipped laboratory but we are very happy to see our teachers’ sincere effort.”
Deputy Commissioner Hafizur Rahman Chowdhury said process is on to acquire 30 acres land near the present temporary campus to construct permanent infrastructure.
Director General of the Directorate General of Health Services Dr Abul Kalam Azad said health directorate in collaboration with respective departments will soon submit a development project proposal to the Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (Ecnec) for approval.
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