Odisha CM Lays Foundation for Major Medical College in Tribal District
In a significant boost to healthcare infrastructure in Odisha's tribal regions, Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi on Friday laid the foundation stone for a new government medical college and hospital in Nabarangpur district. The ceremony marks a pivotal step toward addressing long-standing healthcare gaps in this underserved area.
Details of the New Medical College
The proposed institution will be established on a sprawling campus spanning more than 50 acres at Patalguda. It is designed to feature 100 MBBS seats and a fully equipped 420-bed hospital. Once operational, this facility is expected to dramatically reduce the burden on local patients who currently must travel outside the district for advanced medical treatments and specialized care.
Speaking at the event, CM Majhi emphasized that the college would bring quality, modern healthcare directly to the people's doorstep. "With the medical college in place, residents will be able to access advanced treatment within their own district, eliminating the need to travel elsewhere for specialized care," he stated.
Expansion of Medical Education in Odisha
Majhi highlighted the BJP government's accelerated efforts in healthcare infrastructure, noting that within just 20 months of assuming office, three new medical colleges have already become functional in Jajpur, Kandhamal, and Talcher. He further announced plans to establish similar institutes in Dhenkanal, Jagatsinghpur, and Bhadrak, underscoring the administration's commitment to widening healthcare access and tackling the statewide shortage of doctors.
Health and Family Welfare Minister Mukesh Mahaling provided historical context, revealing that while Odisha had only three state-run medical colleges three decades ago, the government has now approved nine new medical colleges for the 2024-25 academic year to strengthen services across districts.
Launch of 'Shree Jagannath Darshan' Pilgrimage Scheme
In a parallel development, CM Majhi launched the 'Shree Jagannath Darshan' scheme from Nabarangpur, with simultaneous rollouts in Bhadrak, Baripada, Sambalpur, and Berhampur. Approximately 500 pilgrims from five districts commenced their journey to Puri under official supervision as part of this initiative.
Explaining the scheme's objective, Majhi described Lord Jagannath as the "Lord of the universe" and stressed that every Odia should have the opportunity to seek His blessings with dignity at least once in their lifetime.
The pilgrimage scheme has set an ambitious target:
- Enable 5,000 beneficiaries to undertake the pilgrimage this year.
- Facilitate over 1 lakh eligible persons over the next four years.
Eligibility criteria include senior citizens aged 60 to 75 from economically weaker sections and widows up to 75 years of age. Beneficiaries will receive comprehensive support, including AC bus travel, accommodation in Puri, and Mahaprasad.
Major Development Projects Inaugurated
The CM also inaugurated and laid foundation stones for 177 development projects in Nabarangpur, collectively valued at over Rs 446 crore. This includes:
- Inauguration of 112 projects worth Rs 68 crore.
- Foundation stones for 65 projects worth Rs 378 crore.
These projects span multiple critical sectors, such as education, healthcare, roads, bridges, hostels, forest protection committees, and anganwadi centers, aiming to foster holistic regional growth.
Stressing the importance of balanced regional development, Majhi assured that despite Nabarangpur's geographical distance from the state capital, development would not remain out of reach for its residents.
This multi-faceted initiative reflects the Odisha government's focused approach to enhancing healthcare, cultural access, and infrastructure in tribal-dominated areas, signaling a transformative phase for the region's socio-economic landscape.
