Gangtok, May 14 (UNI) The Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has finally recognised the Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS) course at Sikkim Manipal Institute of Medical Sciences (SMIS) here.

Sikkim Health and Family Welfare Principal Secretary Karma Gyasto here today said the Union Ministry accorded the recognition to the course on the recommendations of the Medical Council of India (MCI).

A notification in this regard was made by the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare on May 11 last, he said.

SMIS Dean P G Shivananda said the recognition would be effective from March 2006, the year the first batch of the MBBS students of the institute appeared for their final examination after completing their course.

Mr Gyasto said the recognition was a major achievement of the state government. He said it came following constant and concerted efforts by the state government, including Chief Minister Pawan Chamling, state health department and the SMIS Dean, Vice-Chancellor and the doctors.

The recognition of the course was a major issue as the students on more than two occasions went on strike demanding recognition of the course.

The MCI earlier had refused to recommend for the recognition of the course as the institte did not meet some of its requirements needed for according recognition.

Under pressure from the students the state government had recently decided to recognise the course by the state medical council, which would enable them to practise in Sikkim.

But since most of the students were from outside Sikkim they rejected the offer and demanded initiation of steps for early recognition of the course.

UNI