Kerala to set up autonomous body for medical education

Thiruvananthapuram, May 24: The Kerala government will set up an autonomous institution for giving more thrust to medical education and research, State Health Minister P K Sreemathy said.

A State Institute of Medical Education and Technology (SI-MET), would be set up on the lines of Institute of Human Resources Development (IHRD), Co-operative Academy of Professional Education (CAPE) and LBS, Ms Shreemathy said at a press conference here yesterday.

She said the Cabinet had given its nod for starting the society and a 21-member governing body with Health Minister as its chairperson and Health Secretary as its vice-chairman would be elected.

In the initial stage, the SI-MET would start three nursing colleges at Malampuzha in Palakkad district, Uduma in Kasragod district and Palluruthy in Ernakulam district, she said and added that the colleges would functioned, utilising the facilities in the district and taluk hospitals.

The SI-MET would function by recieving a grant from the state government, the Centre and other agencies, she added.

If the society would get recognition from the Indian Nursing Council, it would start BSc nursing courses by this academic year itself, she said.

Ms Sreemathy said in future, nursing colleges and para medical institutions would start in all districts. Apart from the professional courses in Ayurveda and Homeo sector, it would also start courses in modern medicine, medical technology and hospital administration.

The admission would be on the basis of entrance examination and NRI seat and the fees and other facilities would be decided according to the government policy, she added.

UNI