The fourth governing council meeting of Tomo Riba Institute of Health and Medical Science, held under the chairmanship of Arunachal Pradesh chief minister Pema Khandu here on Thursday, resolved to constitute an engineering task force to approve, monitor and certify all infrastructure projects of the institute.

The decision came in the wake of several ongoing projects of the institute being halted or slowed down due to various reasons, including delay in approval of works by a committee constituted earlier for the purpose.

It has been proposed that the chief engineer (planning and design) would head the task force for approval, monitoring and certification of projects being implemented at the institute.

It was informed that the institute’s block-II will be transformed into a 500-bed hospital, equipped with 12 operation theatres, 25-30 bed intensive care unit and other similar facilities and 50 pay cabins.

Around 70 per cent of the academic block is also completed while process is on to acquire a private building to house at least 250 students.

The institute’s director, Dr Moji Jini, informed the governing council members that the entire first batch of 50 students is in their second year MBBS and that preparations are on to induct new students.

He said as per the erstwhile Medical Council of India (MCI) guidelines, the college cannot increase its student intake capacity till it has completed four academic years.

However, the college authorities have approached the new National Medical Commission (that has replaced MCI) to allow the institute to increase its student intake capacity from the next session.

Jini stressed the need to establish radiotherapy, cancer wing and emergency and trauma care centre besides procuring equipment like MRI among others.

Referring to the institute’s records, Jini said the number of new cancer patients has been increasing every year.

All members agreed on the urgent need for research and treatment of cancer by creating latest facilities besides creating awareness.

Various issues like shortage of manpower, non-evacuation of college land by few offices and individuals, slow progress of construction among others were discussed at the meeting.

It was decided that accommodation facilities for girl students, interns, resident doctors, nurses, faculty members and non-teaching staff and an auditorium will be constructed on an urgent basis.