Odisha Channel Bureau
BHUBANESWAR: The much-awaited Saheed Laxman Nayak Medical College and Hospital (SLNMCH) was inaugurated by Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik at Koraput on Monday.
The classes at the medical college, built at a cost of Rs 192 crore, are scheduled to begin on the occasion of the Teachers’ Day on Tuesday after Patnaik dedicated the hospital to the people of Odisha.
Speaking on the occasion, Patnaik described the new medical college and hospital as another stepping stone towards his government’s resolve to ensure inclusive, equitable and sustainable development in the state.
“My government is working earnestly towards promoting healthcare through strengthening of medical education and tertiary care by bringing it closer to community,” he said.
Of the 100 students who have taken admission in the new medical college as many as 20 students are from nearby districts of Malkangiri, Koraput, Kandhamal, Nabarangpur, Rayagada and Nuapada.
The number of government-run medical college and hospital increased to four with the inauguration of the medical college at Koraput.
The three others were SCB Medical College at Cuttack set up in 1944; Veer Surendra Sai Institute of Medical Sciences and Research at Sambalpur founded in 1959 and MKCG Medical College at Berhampur set up in 1962.
Another new medical college and hospital and the fifth in the government sector – Pandit Raghunath Murmu Medical College and Hospital at Baripada in Mayurbhanj district, is scheduled to be inaugurated by Patnaik on Wednesday.
Besides, the State has three private medical colleges, all in Bhubaneswar.
With the opening of the medical college at Baripada, the number of MBBS seat in Odisha will increase to 850.
Odisha government is expecting to add 200 more MBBS seats to cross the 1000 seats-mark.
