Post News Network
Bhubaneswar, August 7: Seeking to ensure that the proposed affordable hospitals start functioning in all districts as early as possible, the state government has asked the district collectors to identify suitable land to set up the hospitals.
The health and family welfare department has decided to set up 100-bed affordable hospitals in each district on a public private partnership (PPP) mode to offer healthcare services like in private hospitals at affordable prices, said sources in the department.
The state government has also engaged International Finance Corporation (IFC) as the transaction advisor to execute these projects. IFC has conducted preliminary surveys in 23 districts while surveys in the rest of the districts would be conducted by the end of this month, added the sources.
Orissa State Medical Corporation (OSMC) has prepared a draft expression of interest (EOI) for selection of private players to set up the hospitals in partnership with the government. The draft is under the consideration of the government and EOIs would be invited very soon, they said.
One of the major causes behind the projects getting delayed is the non-availability of land. Sources said land is yet to be identified and finalised in any of the state’s 30 districts. Health and family welfare department secretary Arti Ahuja recently asked the collectors to identify 1.5 to 4 acres in each district, preferably close to the district headquarters towns, to establish the hospitals.
The collectors were also asked to suggest at least three to four sites in every district within 3 km distance from the headquarters towns that have good roads, electricity supply and sewerage lines, added the sources.
Besides, the department has also approached the industries department to suggest possible sites with the help of Industrial Infrastructure Development Corporation (Idco) for this purpose.
The government has set a target to complete construction work of the hospitals within a year from the date the MoUs are signed with the partner organisations.
