LEH : The All Ladakh Medical Association (ALMA) on Saturday expressed concern over the prolonged delay in the establishment of the Government Medical College (GMC) in Ladakh, asserting that nearly seven years after the project was sanctioned, there has been little visible progress on the ground despite the allocation of substantial funds.
Addressing a press conference in Leh, ALMA President said the Government Medical Colleges sanctioned for Ladakh and Udhampur under the same centrally sponsored scheme have witnessed contrasting trajectories. While the institution in Udhampur has been operational for nearly four years, the proposed medical college in Ladakh is yet to develop even a dedicated institutional structure, he said.
The association maintained that the original project was estimated at around Rs 325 crore and recalled that an additional Rs 124 crore was subsequently sanctioned and transferred to the Union Territory Administration following repeated representations regarding delays. Despite the financial allocation, ALMA alleged that tangible progress towards establishing the institution remains absent.
Highlighting the strategic importance of the project, the association argued that Ladakh’s difficult terrain, harsh climatic conditions, scattered population centres and increasing tourist footfall necessitate a robust medical education and healthcare infrastructure. It noted that healthcare services across the Union Territory continue to rely heavily on the district hospitals in Leh and Kargil.
ALMA also voiced concern over delays in the recruitment of healthcare professionals. Referring to the advertisement of 125 Medical Officer posts and 26 Dental Surgeon posts, the association said candidates had been informed that the recruitment process for Medical Officers was likely to begin between April and May 2026. However, with no formal recruitment process initiated so far, uncertainty has grown among aspiring candidates and members of the medical fraternity.
The association urged the authorities to expedite both the establishment of the Government Medical College and the recruitment process, describing them as essential steps towards strengthening healthcare delivery and medical education in Ladakh.
