Headlines of The Day
Odisha to hold talks with Centre soon over second AIIMS at Sambalpur
Odisha’s Health Minister, Mukesh Mahalinga, announced on Monday that the state’s second All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) would be established in Sambalpur. Addressing the state assembly, Mahalinga stated that the Odisha government intends to establish this AIIMS in Sambalpur, with talks with the central government scheduled to begin soon.
Expansion of medical and nursing colleges
In addition to the new AIIMS, the minister announced the opening of new medical and nursing colleges in Balasore, Mayurbhanj, Koraput, Puri, and Jajpur to address the state’s medical professional shortage.
Safety measures for doctors and ambulance services
Mahalinga also stated, “The government has committed to ensuring the safety of working doctors. We have formed a task force led by the Chief Secretary, and we plan to establish police outposts at each medical college. Furthermore, the state intends to reduce ambulance response time from 30 to 20 minutes, thereby improving emergency healthcare services.
Free dialysis and ayushman arogya temples
As part of the government’s healthcare initiatives, free dialysis programs will be launched in 55 health centers across Odisha. In addition, the minister announced plans to build Ayushman Arogya Temples in all Gram Panchayat headquarters to house yoga instructors and medical staff.
Recruitment and educational initiatives
To address the medical professional shortage, the government intends to hire 300 doctors and paramedical staff. The Odisha Health University will also be fully operational, offering medical and engineering courses in Odia, marking an important step toward localizing higher education in the state. Online Sambalpur