Odisha’s Health Minister, Dr. Mukesh Mahaling, announced in the State Legislative Assembly on Monday that medical colleges will be established in all 30 districts of the state.
“Establishing medical colleges and appointing doctors to vacant positions is crucial. We have pledged to undertake this initiative as promised in our election manifesto,” Minister Mahaling stated during the Assembly session while replying to a question from senior BJD legislator Pratap Keshari Deb.
“Approximately Rs 250 to Rs 300 crore is required to establish a medical college with 100 MBBS seats. The central government contributes 60 per cent of this cost, while the state will bear the remaining 40 per cent,” he explained.
Dr Mahaling noted that various central government entities, such as the National Thermal Power Corporation (NTPC), have set up a medical college in the Sundargarh district, and Nalco has founded one at Talcher in Angul, while another medical college in Keonjhar was established with funds from the District Mineral Foundation (DMF).
In an effort to accelerate the process, the state government has implemented significant changes to the medical recruitment policy, which has been approved by Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi. “We will soon commence the recruitment of 5,000 doctors and fill the 3,000 vacant positions for paramedical staff,” stated the minister.
This initiative is a stride towards bolstering the healthcare infrastructure and mitigating the severe shortfall of medical professionals, he added.
