CMC project tangled in red tape

As a result, uncertainty looms large over implementation of the project.

The CMC authorities lobbied with the government many times for implementation of the project but failed.

CMC Principal Chowdhury B. Mahmud said the project was taken for construction of new academic building in 1997, somehow had remained shelved.

"But we are trying to revive the project with a fresh proposal as prices of construction materials went up," Mahmud said. A committee has been formed headed by myself to review the total project for its implementation, he added.

" The committee will hold a meeting shortly in this regard" he said. A new academic building is a must to cope with the situation as the number of students increased and some new post graduate courses were introduced, he added. "Fund constraint is the main problem on the way to implementation of the project though we are badly in need of another academic building," a senior CMC teacher said.

" Though education is concerned, but Chittagong Medical College is to operate under the ministry of health with poor allocation. Our medical colleges do not get fund from the ministry of education as the ministry of health controls them. " I think the medical colleges should be brought under the ministry of education to help them flourish with better performance" he added.

An official said post graduate courses on MD, MS and M Phil were introduced recently. "So it is difficult to hold classes," he said.

CMC is the second biggest medical college in the country with over 1,000 students.

The academic building was constructed in 957 while only LMF course was introduced. Later, MBBS course was introduced and LMF system was abolished.

The students also attend classes at hospital adjacent to the CMC.