Kendrapada: Residents of Kendrapada have decided to stage an indefinite dharna in front of collector’s office from April 22 to demand immediate steps to establish a medical college and hospital in the coastal district.
Coming together under the banner of Kendrapada Medical College Establishment Committee (KMCEC), the residents said that on September 20 last year, Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi had announced that the Odisha government will set up medical colleges in all the 30 districts of the state.
Health Minister Mukesh Mahaling also informed the state Assembly on December 11 last year that all the districts will soon have medical colleges, KMCEC president Ajaya Samal said.
However, the government is yet to take any step for establishment of a medical college in Kendrapada., he said.
Therefore, we have decided to launch an indefinite dharna in front of the district collectorate from April 22 to press for our demand,” said Samal.
Congress leader Prafulla Das said that the district healthcare system is a matter of concern as half of sanctioned posts of doctors are still vacant. People of such districts are helpless and facing numerous problems including deaths.
KMCEC secretary Ramani Ranjan criticised the government for the delay in execution of their promise of setting up medical colleges in all districts.