A state-level preparatory workshop was organized in Bhubaneswar on September 8, 2026, for Chief District Medical and Public Health Officers (CDMOs) across Odisha to ensure the successful rollout of the National Health Mission (NHM) Program Implementation Plan (PIP) for 2026–27.
Chief Guest Dr. Mukesh Mahaling, Minister for Health and Family Welfare, emphasized the need for result-oriented, target-driven implementation of health schemes at the district level to continuously boost key health indicators.
Addressing the gathering, Dr. Mahaling highlighted the critical role played by district health leaders:
“Chief District Medical and Public Health Officers are the health leaders of our state. Their leadership and performance determine the effectiveness of healthcare services at the grassroots level. Ensuring timely, high-quality execution alongside precise plan formulation remains their foremost responsibility.”
The Health Minister noted that under the guidance of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and in alignment with the National Health Policy 2017, the country has made significant strides toward accessible, affordable, and quality healthcare. In Odisha, under the leadership of Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi, these national initiatives continue to yield positive outcomes in key health metrics.
To maintain this momentum, Dr. Mahaling called for relentless district-level monitoring and evaluation, pointing out priority focus areas:
- Maternal and Infant Health: Accelerating the reduction of Maternal Mortality Ratio (MMR) and Infant Mortality Rate (IMR).
- TB-Free India Initiative: Speeding up case detection, registration on the Ni-kshay portal, prompt treatment, and systematic follow-up.
- Anemia Mukt Bharat: Deploying targeted strategies, systematic screening, timely intervention, and targeted interventions in high-prevalence areas.
- Quality Assurance: Enhancing hospital care standards, strengthening monitoring frameworks, and conducting periodic performance reviews.
With nearly 80 percent of Odisha’s population residing in rural regions, the Minister underlined that expanding healthcare accessibility and quality in villages is vital to transforming the state’s overall health landscape.
Strategic Roadmap and Vision 2036
Health and Family Welfare Commissioner-cum-Secretary Aswathy S. addressed the workshop, reinforcing the commitment to deliver equitable and affordable care to every citizen. She encouraged officers to adopt a bold vision aimed at placing Odisha’s healthcare performance at the top tier by 2036.
NHM Mission Director Dr. Brundha D. delivered a detailed presentation on the PIP 2026–27 framework, highlighting key compliance standards, human resource management, digital health infrastructure, diagnostic availability, and health system strengthening strategies.
The workshop also saw the participation of key leadership figures, including Director of Health Services Dr. Mahesh Mohan Panda, Director of Public Health Rabindra Nath Mishra, and Director of Family Welfare Rajendra Kumar Panigrahi. The event concluded with a shared commitment toward time-bound goals and robust monitoring mechanisms for the coming financial year.
