In a significant boost to healthcare infrastructure in Odisha, Union Education Minister and Sambalpur MP Dharmendra Pradhan inaugurated a state-of-the-art Super Specialty Hospital at the Veer Surendra Sai Institute of Medical Sciences and Research (VIMSAR) in Burla on Thursday.
The facility, constructed at a cost of approximately Rs 125 crore, features 272 beds, including 58 ICU beds, and is poised to transform medical services for the people of Sambalpur and 13 surrounding districts, as well as neighbouring states like Chhattisgarh and Jharkhand.
The Super Specialty Hospital will offer advanced treatment in nine specialised departments, including Urology, Nephrology, Neurology, Neurosurgery, Pediatric Surgery, Plastic Surgery, Gastroenterology, Endocrinology, and Clinical Haematology. This modern facility aims to provide cutting-edge healthcare, particularly benefiting patients with complex conditions such as sickle cell disease, and establish VIMSAR as a pioneering institution in medical care and innovation.
Speaking at the inauguration, Pradhan emphasised the critical role of local medical professionals in elevating Odisha’s healthcare system. “Doctors trained in Odisha must stay and serve here. Only then can our state become number one in healthcare,” he stated. He described VIMSAR as the “core laboratory” for safeguarding public health in Western Odisha, underscoring its importance in the region’s development.
The Union Minister highlighted the state government’s commitment to redeveloping VIMSAR, including plans for a unitary dental college and a comprehensive master plan for infrastructure growth. He also stressed the “double engine government’s” dedication to introducing advanced medical technologies like Meditech, Biotech, and AI-enabled treatments at VIMSAR, aiming to integrate quality education, good governance, and startup ecosystems for holistic progress.
Pradhan urged medical students trained at VIMSAR to serve within Odisha rather than seeking opportunities elsewhere, stating, “This is essential to achieve the vision of a developed Odisha and a developed India.” He also suggested collaboration between VIMSAR and the Veer Surendra Sai University of Technology (VSSUT) to offer multidisciplinary courses, fostering innovation and skill development.
The minister expressed gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi, and State Health and Family Welfare Minister Dr. Mukesh Mahaling for their efforts in bringing super-speciality healthcare to the masses. He also acknowledged the state government’s broader vision for regional development, noting Sambalpur’s unique position as home to prestigious institutions like IIM Sambalpur, VSSUT, Sambalpur University, Gangadhar Meher University, Odisha State Open University, and OUAT’s agriculture college in Chiplima.
The Super Specialty Hospital is expected to serve as a lifeline for the underprivileged, offering advanced medical care to the last mile. It will play a leading role in delivering contemporary healthcare and addressing the needs of sickle cell patients, a prevalent concern in the region. Pradhan also proposed hosting national and international workshops at VIMSAR to further elevate its stature and capabilities.
The inauguration ceremony was attended by key dignitaries, including State Rural Development, Panchayati Raj, and Drinking Water Minister Rabi Naik, Health and Family Welfare Minister Dr. Mukesh Mahaling, and Sambalpur MLA Jay Narayan Mishra, among others.
This landmark initiative marks a new chapter in Odisha’s healthcare journey, aligning with the state and central governments’ commitment to building a healthier, more prosperous future for all.
