Bhubaneswar: As many as 102 assistant professors joined the Odisha Medical Education Service on Friday. They will serve in government medical colleges in different districts.
Speaking at an orientation programme for the new recruits in Bhubaneswar, Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik asked the young professors to have a human touch while treating patients. “You are in a profession that demands absolute commitment to the job. You need to create confidence among the patients and their relatives. Along with your professional skills, a human touch in your approach can do wonder,” he said.
He said the government’s vision of happiness for people is “Sustha Odisha, Sukhi Odisha” (Healthy Odisha, Happy Odisha).” Every life is precious, he emphasised.
Highlighting the state’s initiatives in healthcare, he said his government is committed to provide universal access to quality health care and bring down expenses of the people. “Under the Biju Swasthya Kalyan Yojana, the government bears the entire cost of health services for all in state government hospitals. It is our responsibility to see that our patients get the best quality of care in our hospitals,” he added.
Naveen further said the government is building new and modern infrastructure for public health facilities. “Ama Hospital for transformation of public health facilities and opening of new medical colleges and hospitals are some of major active initiatives in this regard,” he added.
Speaking on the occasion, Health and Family Welfare Minister Niranjan Pujari said more than 300 assistant professors have been appointed in recent years. Following the vision of the Chief Minister, the state is making rapid progress in providing quality healthcare to people free of cost, he added.
Salini Pandit, Secretary, Health and Dr Sachidananda Mohanty, Director, Medical Education also spoke.