Koraput: CM Mohan Charan Majhi on Friday laid the foundation stone for a govt medical college in Nabarangpur district, giving a major push to healthcare infrastructure in the tribal-dominated area.The proposed medical college and hospital will be established over more than 50 acres at Patalguda with 100 MBBS seats and a 420-bed hospital. Once operational, it is expected to ease the burden on patients who currently have to travel outside the district for advanced treatment.Speaking on the occasion, Majhi said the institute would bring quality and modern healthcare facilities closer to the people. “With the medical college in place, residents would be able to access advanced treatment in their own district, eliminating the need to travel elsewhere for specialised care,” he said.Majhi further said that within 20 months of the BJP govt assuming office, three new medical colleges have become functional in Jajpur, Kandhamal and Talcher. He added that similar institutes would soon be set up in Dhenkanal, Jagatsinghpur and Bhadrak, reflecting the govt’s resolve to widen access to healthcare and address the shortage of doctors across the state.The CM also launched the ‘Shree Jagannath Darshan’ scheme from Nabarangpur. The programme was simultaneously rolled out from Bhadrak, Baripada, Sambalpur and Berhampur. Around 500 pilgrims from five districts began their journey to Puri under official supervision.Explaining the objective of the initiative, Majhi said Lord Jagannath is revered as “Lord of the universe” and every Odia should have at least one opportunity in life to seek His blessings with dignity.“The scheme has set a target to enable 5,000 beneficiaries to undertake the pilgrimage this year and more than 1 lakh eligible persons over the next four years. Senior citizens between 60 and 75 years from economically weaker sections and widows up to 75 years of age are eligible. Beneficiaries will be provided AC bus travel, accommodation in Puri and Mahaprasad,” he said.The CM also inaugurated and laid the foundation stones for 177 development projects for Nabarangpur worth over Rs 446 crore. These include inauguration of 112 projects worth Rs 68 crore and foundation stone for 65 projects worth Rs 378 crore. The projects cover sectors such as education, healthcare, roads, bridges, hostels, forest protection committees and anganwadi centres.Stressing balanced regional development, Majhi said that although Nabarangpur is geographically distant from the state capital, development will not remain out of reach.Health and family welfare minister Mukesh Mahaling said that while Odisha had only three state-run medical colleges three decades ago, the govt has now approved nine new medical colleges for 2024-25 to further strengthen healthcare services across districts.
