Faculty of Medicine to be established at NSBM - intake of 500 students annually

In a landmark decision aimed at enhancing medical education and training in Sri Lanka, the Cabinet of Ministers has approved a proposal to establish a medical college under the auspices of the National School of Business Management (NSBM). The medical college will operate under the direct supervision and regulation of the Ministry of Education, the Ministry of Health, and the Sri Lanka Medical Council.

The NSBM, a fully self-financed institution owned by the government, is set to offer a Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS) degree program through this new medical college. The institution aims to enroll approximately 500 local and foreign students annually for this esteemed degree course.

As part of the proposal, the NSBM has sought approval to designate the Homagama Base Hospital as the primary government hospital for the clinical training of medical students in this new Faculty of Medicine. The Cabinet of Ministers had previously granted approval for the use of the Homagama Base Hospital for clinical training of NSBM medical students.

To facilitate the clinical training and ensure the provision of necessary resources, a mechanism will be established for resource sharing between the medical faculty students and the hospital's professorial units. This collaboration aims to provide students with a comprehensive and hands-on learning experience in a real-world medical setting.

Furthermore, the NSBM has committed to providing the required funds for the development of the Homagama Base Hospital in alignment with the standards set forth by the Sri Lanka Medical Council for medical education.

In light of these developments, the Cabinet of Ministers has approved the proposal presented by the Honorable President to transition the Homagama Base Hospital under the purview of the Ministry of Health. The hospital will undergo upgrades and enhancements to transform into a dedicated teaching hospital, catering to the educational needs of future medical professionals.

This initiative marks a significant step forward in Sri Lanka's medical education landscape, with the establishment of a new medical college and the expansion of clinical training facilities. It is anticipated that this move will contribute to the advancement of healthcare services and the development of highly skilled medical professionals for the nation.

Cabinet Decision on 11.03.2024 (relesed text)
Establishment of a Faculty of Medicine at National School of Business Management
It has been proposed to establish a medical college under the direct supervision and regulation of the Ministry of Education, the Ministry of Health and the Sri Lanka Medical Council by National School of Business Management, a fully self-financed institution owned by the government and to award MBBS degrees through it. It is expected to enroll 500 local and foreign students annually for the relevant degree course. The institution has sought approval to reserve Homagama Base Hospital as a suitable government hospital for clinical training of the degree of this Faculty of Medicine. Since the approval of the Cabinet of Ministers has already been given for the use of Homagama Base Hospital for clinical training of NSBM medical students, it has been proposed to prepare a mechanism to reserve Homagama Base Hospital on the basis of resource sharing for the clinical training of medical faculty students as well as professor unit facilities. The National School of Business Management has agreed to provide necessary funds for the development of Homagama Base Hospital in accordance with the standards of medical education published by the Sri Lanka Medical Council. As such the Cabinet of Ministers approved the proposal presented by the Hon. President to take over the Homagama