Bhubaneswar: Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi on Tuesday reviewed key programmes and infrastructure projects of the Health and Family Welfare Department with a focus on upgrading major government medical colleges across the state.
During the meeting, it was decided that dedicated shelters for attendants of patients will be established on the campuses of seven medical colleges in the State
The proposed shelters will be set up at medical colleges in Cuttack, Berhampur, Burla, Sundargarh, Koraput, Baripada, and Balangir to provide basic amenities and convenience to patients’ attendants.
The meeting also reviewed redevelopment of SCB Medical College and Hospital in Cuttack into a world-class medical institution. As part of the redevelopment, a 17-storeyed building with a multi-level parking facility will be constructed. The parking facility will benefit patients and attendants visiting both SCB Medical College and the Acharya Harihara Cancer Hospital.
While up to 12 floors of the proposed building will be used for parking, the remaining floors will house administrative offices, the anatomy block, and B.Pharm and D.Pharm colleges.
In line with the National Education Policy, the meeting decided to ensure indoor sports facilities and a swimming pool for medical college students. The Chief Minister directed officials to prepare the detailed project report (DPR) at the earliest.
At present, 13 residential towers are under construction on the SCB campus. These will include 672 residential units and 2,244 hostel accommodations.
Plan for the redevelopment of Berhampur and Burla medical colleges was also discussed during the meeting.
The Chief Minister also directed officials to ensure early operationalisation of the trauma care centre at Panikoili. He suggested exploring the public-private partnership (PPP) model for the project, with preference given to Central public sector undertakings involved in hospital management. If required, private sector participation may also be considered.
The meeting was attended by Health Minister Mukesh Mahaling, Chief Secretary Manoj Ahuja, Principal Secretary to the Chief Minister Saswat Mishra, and Health Department Commissioner-cum-Secretary Aswathi S.
