The Assam government on Tuesday decided to rename the state-run Fakhruddin Ali Ahmed Medical College and Hospital (FAAMCH), which was named after one of the country’s former presidents.
While informing the media after the decision, Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma stated that the step was taken as the name did not match with other similar institutions set up in the state.
“All the 15 medical colleges set up by the state government are named after the places where they are located. But the one in Barpeta was named after Fakhruddin Ali Ahmed, which was different from other similar colleges and we had to face many questions about whether it was a private medical college,” Sarma said.
“So the Cabinet decided to rename the institution as Barpeta Medical College and Hospital. But since Ahmed was the President of India and he is the only person from the state to have attained this position, we have decided to name another educational or cultural institution of repute in the state after him. A decision in this regard will be taken later,” he added.
Established in 2011, FAAMCH is the fifth medical college and hospital in Assam and currently runs undergraduate and postgraduate medical courses. It has a capacity of 500 beds and has 125 seats for MBBS course.
Ahmed, was the fifth President of India (1974-1977). His tenure is best known for his decision to declare a state of emergency in 1975 on the advice of Prime Minister Indira Gandhi.
