Balasore: Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik dedicated the much awaited Fakir Mohan Medical College and Hospital here to the people of Odisha Monday, just three days after the inauguration of the Bhima Bhoi Medical College and Hospital in Bolangir.
Naveen Patnaik inaugurated the Medical College after unveiling the statue of great Odia poet Fakir Mohan Senapati after whom the state government has named the medical college and hospital.
“With the opening of the Fakir Mohan Medical College and Hospital, the long cherished dream of the people of Balasore has been fulfilled. With this, the strength of seats in the seven medical colleges in the state went up to 1050 from 321 in 2000,” said Patnaik.
Patnaik further informed that Odisha government has initiated several measures to improve healthcare facilities across the state. Recently, the Biju Swasthya Kalyan Yojana was launched with an objective to provide healthcare facilities to nearly 70 lakh families in the state.
Fakir Mohan Senapati known as ‘Vyas Kabi’ is regarded as father of Odia novel and short stories. His contribution to nourish Odia literature is immense.
The Medical College will go a long way in serving people of north Odisha and those from neighbouring West Bengal. Paying tribute to the legendary Odia poet and novelist Fakir Mohan Senapati, the Chief Minister said the state government is committed to providing quality health service to all the citizens of the state.
Union Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare Ashwini Kumar Choubey, Odisha Health and Family Welfare Minister Pratap Jena, Higher Education and Industries Minister Ananta Das and Balasore MP Rabindra Kumar Jena were present at the inaugural ceremony.
Union Minister Ashwini Kumar Choubey said the Central government is taking steps to upgrade the district headquarters hospitals to medical colleges with a view to provide quality health services. He said five medical colleges have been approved in Odisha – Balasore, Baripada, Balangir, Koraput and Puri – and funds worth Rs 558.6 crore has been released by the Centre.
The minister said it has been decided to establish one medical college each in Bhadrak, Jajpur and Dhenkanal parliamentary constituencies in Odisha. Choubey requested the state government to identify land for the proposed medical colleges. He also requested the Chief Minister to implement the Ayushman Bharat scheme in Odisha.
A total of 99 students have enrolled in Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS) courses for the first academic session of this institution.
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