Bhubaneswar: A few days after CM Mohan Charan Majhi announced the establishment of a Medical College in Jagatsinghpur, Odisha government has now unveiled plans for a Medical College in Dhenkanal. Addressing a long-standing demand of the district’s residents, Odisha government has announced the establishment of the Medical College in Dhenkanal, informed Krushna Chandra Patra, the state’s Minister for Food Supplies and Consumer Welfare.
The announcement was made during a press conference, highlighting efforts to tackle the shortage of medical professionals at the district headquarters hospital. The college is initially set to offer Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS) courses, with operations beginning soon after its establishment. Alongside immediate educational provisions, the state also plans an ambitious phase of expansion.
An additional 20 acres of land are designated for future development of the medical campus, aiming to enhance healthcare education in the region. “The medical college will begin operations by training undergraduate medical students in the MBBS programme initially. Later, there are plans to extend the college infrastructure over an additional 20 acres of land in the vicinity, broadening its scope and capacity for medical education,” informed Minister of Food Suppliers, Consumer Welfare Krushna Chandra Patra.
“Odisha government has allocated necessary budget for a Medical College and Hospital in Dhenkanal. This was our Election promise. Now that BJP has formed government, we will fulfill our promise. So, I’m very happy today. I want to convey my regards to Health Minister Mukesh Mahaling and Odisha CM Mohan Charan Majhi on this happy occasion,” he added.
The minister highlighted that the operationalisation of this institution is expected to strengthen the local healthcare system significantly. It aims to enhance medical education and improve the availability of healthcare professionals in Dhenkanal, thereby addressing the critical doctor-patient ratio.
This move reflects the government’s broader commitment to bolstering medical infrastructure and training capabilities in Odisha, which is vital for meeting the growing healthcare demands of the population.