A newly built government medical college became functional in Himachal Pradesh on June 16 after getting nod from the state government to admit 100 MBBS students for this academic session.

Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur in presence of Union Health and Family Welfare Minister J P Nadda laid foundation stone of 250-bed hospital facility in the college. He also inaugurated the residential block in the college. Addressing a public meeting after laying the foundation stone, Thakur said, "After Hamirpur Medical College becoming functional, the number of government medical colleges has increased to six with 600 MBBS seats in the state."

He thanked the Union government for providing liberal financial assistance to the state. Thakur said with six medical colleges in government sector and one in private sector, around 750 doctors would be available in the state in the coming years which would help in meeting the demand of specialists and medical officers.

Nadda said that the government of India has already started expanding health services in Himachal and despite thin population, four medical colleges and premier health institute like AIIMS had also been given to the state which would go a long way in strengthening health network in rural areas. He said dialysis facility had been made available in eight districts of the state and now kidney patients need not to go to PGI, Chandigarh or any other place.