The Odisha government has unveiled a significant plan to bolster postgraduate medical education in the state. Authorities are moving to create 502 new PG seats across various government medical colleges and hospitals, as well as postgraduate institutes. This initiative aims to address the growing demand for specialized doctors and enhance healthcare services.
Urgent Call from DMET for Expansion
On Friday, Santosh Kumar Mishra, the Director of Medical Education and Training (DMET) in Odisha, took a decisive step. He issued a letter to the principals of government medical colleges and hospitals and the directors of two PG institutes, urging them to take immediate necessary actions. The directive focuses on enhancing the number of PG seats and introducing new courses in their respective institutions.
Mishra emphasized the urgency of the matter, linking it to the application portal of the National Medical Commission (NMC). He requested the authorities to submit a comprehensive proposal that includes details about post creation, if required, and the associated financial implications. "This letter may be treated as most urgent," Mishra stated, highlighting the time-sensitive nature of the expansion process.
Breakdown of New PG Seats Across Institutions
The plan follows a review meeting conducted by the DMET with the authorities of the medical colleges and PG institutes. The assessment identified a clear potential for adding hundreds of seats. Here is the proposed distribution of the 502 PG seats:
- Dharanidhar Medical College and Hospital (MCH), Keonjhar: 37 seats
- Bhima Bhoi MCH, Balangir: 57 seats
- PRM MCH, Baripada: 18 seats
- PGIMER Capital Hospital, Bhubaneswar: 26 seats
- SCB MCH, Cuttack: 24 seats
- Pabitra Mohan Pradhan MCH, Talcher: 36 seats
- Maharaja Jajati Keshari MCH, Jajpur: 70 seats
- Government MCH, Phulbani: 76 seats
- SLN MCH, Koraput: 75 seats
- SRM MCH, Kalahandi: 35 seats
- MKCG MCH, Berhampur: 19 seats
- Government MCH, Sundargarh: 29 seats
Implications for Medical Education and Healthcare
This large-scale expansion of PG medical seats is a strategic move by the Odisha government. It is expected to significantly increase the output of specialist doctors in the state, which is crucial for improving healthcare delivery, especially in district and rural hospitals. By strengthening the government medical colleges infrastructure, the state also aims to reduce the dependency on private institutions and retain medical talent within Odisha.
Santosh Kumar Mishra confirmed the development, stating, "We conducted a review meeting... and found that 502 PG seats can be created in these institutions. The colleges and PG institutes will take action on this matter." The successful implementation of this plan hinges on the swift submission of proposals by the colleges to the National Medical Commission for approval, a process the DMET is keen to expedite.
