Odisha’s Health Minister Mukesh Mahaling has confirmed the establishment of nine new medical colleges across various districts in the state.
This ambitious initiative is expected to significantly improve access to healthcare and medical education.
According to the announcement, new MBBS colleges will be set up in Jagatsinghpur, Bhadrak, Dhenkanal, and Nabarangpur. Additionally, dental colleges are planned in Burla, Berhampur, Keonjhar, and Bolangir. A dedicated Ayurveda college is also slated to open in Mayurbhanj. Budget approvals for these institutions have already been granted.
This move addresses long-standing demands from local communities and medical aspirants who have faced hurdles due to the lack of nearby institutions. Once operational, the new colleges are expected to bridge regional health disparities and reduce the need for residents to travel far for medical services.
The initiative is being welcomed across Odisha as a visionary step toward decentralising medical education and strengthening grassroots healthcare infrastructure.