AMRITSAR:Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal on Thursday announced that the prestigious Amritsar Medical College would be upgraded as one of the most modernized Medical Institutions in the Country since this premier medical institution had a glorious legacy spanning over 116 years. 

Addressing a gathering after inaugurating Rs. 26 crore Guru Ramdas Centre for Emergency, Trauma and Multi-speciality block of Amritsar Medical College, Badal said that it was the matter of great honour and pride for all of us that this Medical College had produced eminent doctors and surgeons who had won accolades through their professional skills and acumen in the field of medicine and surgery not within the country but also across the globe.  

Badal pointed out that the entire medical college would be given face lift by adding new blocks to existing ones, installing new medical equipment and strengthening the manpower. He emphasized the need to reverse the trend of preferring Private Medical Institutions over Government Institutions, this could only be achieved by reposing confidence and faith amongst the public through better service, caring and sense of belongingness.  

         
The Chief Minister  further said that the State Government had embarked upon an ambitious programme to upgrade all the three Govt. Medical Colleges at Amritsar, Patiala and Faridkot in a phased manner.  He said an amount of  Rs. 200 had been earmarked for strengthening the infrastructure Govt. Medical College Amritsar and Guru Gobind Singh Govt. Medical College at Faridkot, in first phase and Medical College at Patiala would be taken up there after. 

Responding to the demands put forth by the medical fraternity,  Badal announced a grant of Rs. 10 lac for the computerization of Library.  He also directed the Principal of the Govt. Medical College to extend the working hours of the library after 5 p.m. till mid night.  Badal also asked the Directorate of Medical Education and Research to immediately move a comprehensive proposal for sending bright medical graduates for pursuing higher studies abroad in the field of specialization of their choice at government expanse. 

He said that this initiative of the government would go a long way in the direction to achieve higher standard of medical education and excellence at par with International Medical Institutions of repute.  He also announced to set up a nursing college within the premises of local medical college as an integrated development  and extension programme of the Amritsar Medical College.

The Chief Minister also mentioned that the holy city of Amritsar  would be soon developed as one of the most developed cities in the world as it had a tremendous potential for religious tourism but at the same time it could be developed as the most preferred destination for medical tourism being an upcoming medical hub in South East Asia. 

         
Speaking on the occasion Tikshan Sood, Medical Education and Research Minister Punjab revealed that an action plan for the strengthening of Amritsar Medical College has been prepared which will cater all the aspects of Medical Education and Research. 

Moreover, Eye-Banks would be registered in all the three medical colleges of Punjab and soon 75 eye collections centres would be set up statewide.  "The Medical Directorate for Ayurveda and a University for Ayurveda is also on cards", he added.  He claimed that in a short span of time all the institutes associated with medical education and research would be rejuvenated.

Navjot Singh Sidhu, Member Parliament said that it was a red letter day in the history of Amritsar and with the upgradation of local   Medical College people of the region would be immensely benefited through the available diagnostic and therapeutic services.

On the occasion, Badal released the souvenir of Amritsar District Branch of Indian Red Cross Society and also the concept plan for the modernization of local medical college prepared by the Hospital Services Consultancy Corporation.