In an inspiring address at the Times Health Icons Odisha programme, Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi described health as the foundation of a prosperous and developed Odisha, declaring that “health is the true wealth” and a prerequisite for both earning and enjoying prosperity.
Welcoming the prestigious event organised by the Times of India Group, the Chief Minister praised the initiative for honouring doctors, hospitals, and healthcare workers who exemplify excellence, dedication, and patient-centric service. He congratulated all the awardees and urged them to continue setting benchmarks in healthcare delivery.
Health as the Cornerstone of Development
CM Majhi emphasised that Odisha’s journey towards a “Samruddha Odisha” (prosperous Odisha) and a “Viksit Bharat” (developed India) under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership rests on building a healthy state. “Without good health, wealth cannot be created, and even if created, it cannot be enjoyed,” he noted, adding that the human body is nature’s most complex creation and keeping it healthy is a fundamental responsibility.
He highlighted that the state government’s health policy has moved beyond basic infrastructure to focus on trust, timely treatment, transparency, and accessibility — from primary health centres in villages to super-speciality hospitals in cities.
Ayushman Bharat Transforms Lives in Odisha
A major achievement highlighted was the full implementation of Ayushman Bharat in Odisha. The scheme now covers 3.52 crore people in the state, enabling them to access treatment at over 32,000 hospitals across India. The Chief Minister proudly stated that out-of-pocket expenditure on healthcare in Odisha is among the lowest in the country, ensuring no citizen fears medical expenses.
Preventive healthcare received strong emphasis. CM Majhi spoke about the promotion of Yoga, Ayurveda, nutrition, and sanitation. The government is establishing Arogya Mandirs in every gram panchayat, integrating traditional systems with modern medicine to deliver holistic wellness.
Massive Push for Infrastructure and Workforce
The state is rapidly modernising its health infrastructure with digital health systems, telemedicine, and artificial intelligence in diagnostics and treatment. New medical colleges are coming up in Nabarangpur, Dhenkanal, Jagatsinghpur, and Bhadrak, taking the total to 19 government medical colleges. Plans are also underway for additional nursing, Ayurvedic, and homoeopathic colleges.
In the last two years alone, the government has appointed 5,197 medical officers and paramedics and created 6,675 new posts in the health sector.
Pharma Policy & Vision for Global Med-City
A key highlight was the Odisha Pharmaceutical and Medical Devices Policy-2025, launched at the Pharma Summit. It has already attracted proposals worth over ₹6,200 crore, expected to generate around 38,000 jobs. Pharma and Medical Devices Parks are being developed in Khordha.
Looking to the future, CM Majhi shared the government’s bold vision of establishing a world-class Med-City in the Bhubaneswar-Cuttack-Puri-Paradip Economic Region through public-private partnership. “It will not be merely a chain of hospitals. It will be a complete ecosystem that integrates treatment, research, education, and innovation under one umbrella. Our objective is to make Odisha a global healthcare destination,” he stated.
Call for Collective Effort
The Chief Minister called upon doctors, healthcare workers, and all stakeholders to work together for a healthy and empowered Odisha. He extended his best wishes to every Odia for a healthy and disease-free life and thanked the Times of India Group for organising the meaningful event.
