New Delhi: A medical institute similar to AIIMS has been established for providing advanced specialised health care in Shillong.

The North Eastern Indira Gandhi Regional Institute of Health and Medical Sciences (NEIGRIHMS) is a 500 bed referral hospital with 35 teaching departments at postgraduate level in various specialities and super specialities.

A 50-seat nursing college and undergraduate MBBS college is already functioning in the institute.

Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare Panabaka Lakshmi on Friday told the Rajya Sabha that Rs.1,266.38 crore has been allocated for the institute in the 11th Plan.

"During the year 2008-09, Rs.59 crore (Rs.590 million) has been allocated, of which an amount of Rs.15 crore (Rs.150 million) has been released," Lakshmi said. IANS