Odisha Govt to Establish Medical College in Every District: CM Majhi

In a significant push to bolster the state’s healthcare infrastructure, Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi on Friday announced the government’s plan to establish a medical college in every district.

Speaking at the launch of the Ayushman Bharat scheme at the historic Bali Yatra Ground, CM Majhi said, “Currently, Odisha has 12 medical colleges. This year’s budget includes provisions for new medical colleges in Jagatsinghpur, Bhadrak, Nabarangpur, and Dhenkanal. Our vision is to ensure that every district is equipped with its own medical college to meet the healthcare needs of the people.”

The Chief Minister was present alongside Union Health Minister J.P. Nadda, who launched the Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana – Gopabandhu Jan Arogya Yojana and the Ayushman Vay Vandana Yojana.

Describing the event as a major milestone in the state’s development journey, Majhi said, “From today, people of Odisha will receive free healthcare facilities across the country. Odia residents living outside the state can also avail of treatment under the scheme.”

Under the Ayushman Bharat scheme, approximately 1.03 crore families in Odisha will benefit, with each family eligible for free treatment up to ₹5 lakh annually at over 29,000 empanelled government and private hospitals. In a notable move, female family members will receive an additional ₹5 lakh in coverage annually.

Majhi further stated that over 23 lakh senior citizens would benefit from the scheme, and an additional six lakh individuals will receive new health cards, taking the total beneficiaries to around 3.52 crore people in the state.

He informed that more than 4,000 doctors have already been appointed and another 5,000 are set to be recruited soon. “The Ayushman Bharat scheme, which was kept away from Odisha due to political reasons for six years, has finally been implemented, thanks to Prime Minister Narendra Modi,” he added.

The scheme will be implemented in a 60:40 cost-sharing ratio between the Centre and the State.

In a further boost to healthcare infrastructure, the Chief Minister inaugurated a seven-storey building of the Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel Postgraduate Institute of Pediatrics (Shishu Bhavan) in Cuttack. The expansion has doubled the hospital’s bed capacity to 846, including 140 ICU beds. A new hostel for 180 resident doctors was also inaugurated.

Additionally, a state-of-the-art microbiological laboratory for food and water testing was inaugurated at the State Medical Corporation campus in Bhubaneswar.

The state government has earmarked ₹3,881 crore under the Chief Minister’s Healthcare Mission and ₹420 crore under the Ama Hospitals initiative in the current budget to support healthcare infrastructure development.

The event was graced by Union Tribal Affairs Minister Jual Oram, State Health Minister Dr. Mukesh Mahaling, MPs Bhartruhari Mahtab, Baijayant Panda, Bibhuprasad Tarai, Deputy Chief Ministers Kanak Bardhan Singh Deo and Parvati Parida, along with senior officials including Chief Secretary Manoj Ahuja and Health Secretary Ashwathi S.