Healthcare Remains Top Priority Of Odisha Govt: CM

Bhubaneswar: The Odisha government is in the process of formulating Vision 2025 with the goal to provide quality and affordable healthcare to all, said Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Friday.

Inaugurating the 54^th Indian Orthodontic Conference at the SOA University here, he said in the current 5-T model of governance and ‘Mo Sarkar’ initiative, healthcare has been at the top of the agenda of the state government. “We will continue to make a consistent endeavour to improve health service delivery and modernise the infrastructure. The philosophy of our governance initiative is that the people are the real masters in a democracy. They must avail all the public services as a right and with dignity,” he added.

Referring to oral health, the Chief Minister said this is an often neglected health issue which has an overall impact on the general health and added that un-relented use of tobacco and other substance abuse has worsened the situation creating a grave health issue. “In Odisha, we have created 437 centres at peripheral hospitals to provide dental healthcare in remote areas. These peripheral units are also carrying out awareness activities and conducting screening and treatment of oral diseases. The state government is planning to launch an oral hygiene programme with the provision of model dental vans,” he pointed out.

He also said that orthodontics has a strong psycho-social impact of altering dental aesthetics thereby positively reinforcing the emotional state of an individual.

On the occasion, the Chief Minister launched an app.

Among others, president of the Orthodontic Association Dr Pradeep Jain, secretary Sridevi Padmanabhan and other dignitaries were present.