Bhubaneswar: Inching a step further towards setting up of Medical College and Hospital (MCH) in Kalahandi district, the state government has released Rs 202.39 crore for it.
“With infusion of funds, the construction of the medical college will start soon. The people of the district and nearby regions will no longer have to travel to distant places for advanced and specialised treatment,” said Health and Family Welfare Minister Pratap Jena here Sunday. He added that it will be economically fruitful in terms of both time and money.
The minister further said the medical college at the interior district is a testimony to the firm commitment of Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik for ensuring quality healthcare to all in the state.
The project will be undertaken on turnkey basis under supervision of Works department. The state budget has allocated Rs 302.39 crore for the medical colleges and tendering process is set to begin soon, the minister stated.
Jena further said that ancillary establishments like 300-seat men’s hostel, 150-seat women’s hostel and 60-seat hostel for nurses will also be constructed along with 86 residential quarters for faculty members and doctors. Besides, 150-seat nursing hostel, 36 quarters for paramedical staff and a 650-seat state-of-the-art auditorium will also be constructed.
Last month, the state had entered into an agreement with ‘Vedanta’ for execution of the project. The construction of medical college building and teaching hospital will be undertaken by ‘Vedanta’ as per the agreement. The cost of the project is estimated at Rs 100 crore which is to be borne by the company itself.
Two new medical colleges at Baripada and Koraput were completed expeditiously and have started functioning from 2017-18. Two more MCHs at Bolangir and Balasore will start their academic session from this year, he said, adding, the Kalahandi Medical College will be yet another addition soon as it is targeted to be completed within two years.
The Kalahandi MCH will add 100 MBBS doctors in the state every year. The new colleges at Puri, Talcher, Sundargarh and Keonjhar will completely transform the healthcare scenario in the state. “Every person will have access to best quality healthcare free of cost. The colleges will also play a pivotal role in overcoming doctors’ shortage in the state”, he added.
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