New Delhi: The Central Government is contemplating revised guidelines for establishment of new medical colleges in the North-Eastern states.

Union Health & Family Welfare Minister, Dr. Anbumani Ramadoss assured Meghalaya Chief Minister, Mr. Donkupar Roy, during their meeting here, "North-Eastern States are a priority area for revamping of health infrastructure. Keeping in mind the special needs of the region, the Centre is actively considering revised guidelines for North East with regard to establishment of medical colleges."

Dr. Ramadoss said that the relaxation in the number of beds and patient load is under consideration for establishing medical colleges in the North Eastern region.

With regard to Meghalaya's request for change in the selection criteria for the North Eastern Indira Gandhi Regional Institute of Health and Medical Sciences (NEIGRIHMS), Shillong, the Minister said that the proposal will be considered in the context of norms and requirements of similar autonomous institutions established by the Central Government.

Ramadoss further encouraged the Meghalaya Government to establish nursing colleges to meet the growing requirement and assured full support from the Centre.