From the Desk of the Dean
The story of Government Medical College, Latur begins with a simple observation: the map of medical education in Maharashtra was badly skewed. This note from the Dean's desk retells how the college came into being and how its hospital grew into the district's main referral centre.
Why Latur Needed a Medical College
In 2001 the Maharashtra University of Health Sciences (MUHS), Nashik prepared a vision document that was presented to the Honourable Governor and the then Chief Minister. It highlighted that the Mumbai and Pune zones had double or triple the number of medical seats compared with Vidarbha, Marathwada and South Maharashtra.
The issue was discussed in the state assembly, and the decision was taken to establish three new government medical colleges — at Kolhapur, Akola and Latur. This college was started on 26 April 2002 in the premises of the existing district hospital.
Building the Institution
An additional 13 acres were made available by acquiring the land of the old, discontinued narrow-gauge railway. The decision to merge the 200-bed district hospital, the 60-bed Kasturba Gandhi Women Hospital and the 60-bed Eye Hospital was taken in 2002, and the essentiality certificate and MCI permission followed within months.
The first batch of 100 MBBS students was admitted in July 2003, with 85 per cent of seats filled through the state CET and 15 per cent through the All India PMT. The hospital was finally merged with the college on 1 October 2007 with all its property, manpower and infrastructure, and the bed strength was increased to 510.
Growth of Postgraduate Education
The first postgraduate courses in ten subjects were admitted in May 2010, with 24 PG degree and 6 diploma seats. A Post BSc Diploma in Medical Laboratory Technology had already been running since 2005 with an intake of 10 students.
| Programme | Started | Intake |
|---|---|---|
| MBBS | 2003 | 100 (later 150) |
| Post BSc DMLT | 2005 | 10 |
| PG degree and diploma courses | 2010 | 30 |
What the Hospital Means Today
- ICCU and NICU services started in response to local needs
- Patient turnover, both indoor and outdoor, has grown about threefold
- Transfers to higher centres have practically stopped
- The first MBBS batch completed internship in February 2008, with final MCI approval in February 2009
The institution continues to grow with the region it serves. Students, parents and patients are always welcome to reach the Dean's office through the contact details published on this website.