Excelsior Correspondent
SRINAGAR, Aug 16: The Health & Medical Education (H&ME) Department has taken a step in expanding the academic offerings and capacity at M.K Paramedical College in Qazigund by sanctioning the increase in the intake capacity for several courses along with the introduction of a new program.
A notable development is the green light for the commencement of the General Nursing and Midwifery (GNM) course, featuring 50 seats. This expansion is aligned with the growing demand for skilled healthcare professionals.
The alterations in the seat allocation have been outlined in a fashion that the Female Multipurpose Health Worker (FMPHW) program, which previously provided 20 seats, will now see an increment of 10 seats, bringing the total to 30. Meanwhile, the remaining 10 seats from the Multipurpose Health Worker (MMPHW) program have been integrated into the FMPHW program, leaving 10 seats for MMPHW.
In a further move, the Medical Assistant/Pharmacist course, which initially accommodated 10 students, has been discontinued, with its seats being merged into the Lab Assistant course. The Laboratory Assistant/ Technology program is undergoing an enhancement as well, with the intake capacity escalating from 10 to 20 seats.
A directive issued by the H&ME Department stated, “Sanction is, hereby, accorded to the grant of provisional NOC/Permission in favour of M.K Paramedical College, Gopalpora, Pombal Kulgam Kashmir, for the enhancement of seats and the introduction of the new course in General Nursing & Midwifery (GNM).”
As per the H&ME eligibility for admission to these programs will be determined on a merit basis as per the regulations outlined by the Government through the Jammu & Kashmir Board of Professional Entrance Examination.
It was also emphasized that the J&K Paramedical Council will conduct periodic inspections of the institute to assess the adequacy of infrastructure regarding the number of trainees.
Moreover, the H&ME Department underscored that the J&K Paramedical Council will oversee the examination process for the trainees, following a similar pattern as that of trainees from AMT/ANMT Schools in the Union Territory.