Odisha Govt Committed to Transform SCB Medical College and Hospital to a World Class Facility: Naveen

Bhubaneswar: In yet another major reform initiative for providing best healthcare service, Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik today said that his government is committed to transform Cuttack-based SCB Medical College and Hospital (SCBMCH) to a world class facility.

The Chief Minister announced Rs 1,000 crore package to develop SCBMCH into an AIIMS Plus institution, a state-of-the-art 3000-bedded integrated hospital with latest medical facilities.

Interacting with HODs, students and authorities of SCB Medical College & Hospital through video conferencing on the development and patient welfare in the institute after the visit of Secretary 5-T Initiatives V K Pandian,  the Chief Minister said,  “SCB Medical College and Hospital set up two hundred years ago has served the people of Odisha for many years. It has produced brilliant doctors who have served and continue to serve patients not only in Odisha but across the globe.They are the pride of our State”.

“It is now upon us to give back to this great institution and transform it to a world class facility”, Naveen said.

He said, “It is my dream that every person in Odisha should have access to high quality, affordable healthcare. It is   in this context that the State Government has been investing heavily in the health sector”.

“From 3 Medical Colleges we are in the process of having more than 10 Medical Colleges.  SCB has a central place in our vision of providing high quality affordable healthcare”, he said.

“For this we will create a state of art three thousand  bedded  integrated hospital equipped with latest medical facilities.  We should be able to compare ourselves with the best in the country.  In fact our transformational goal should be AIIMS plus”, the CM stressed.

To support this hospital, the State Government will create an ecosystem with the best accommodation and recreational facilities for both doctors and students.  It shall be such that medical professionals settled outside will aspire to come and serve here, he added.

This will involve a substantial cost to the people of the State-  more than one thousand  crores, but it will result in a transformation where no person from Odisha will be forced to go outside the State for medical treatment, the CM further stated.

He said, “The best brains of the State have invested their youth in SCB.  I understand that SCB ranks 14th in the country.  With your commitment, dedication, hardwork and the full support of the State, I am sure you will make it rank among the top 3”.

Odisha has set global benchmarks in many fields.  Now it’s time the world recognises Odisha for its affordable, quality healthcare, the CM concluded.

Earlier today, Secretary 5-T Initiatives V K Pandian  paid a surprise visit to the SCB Medical College and Hospital to review the various healthcare related issues in the hospital.

Pandian, along with Health Secretary Pramod Meherda and Works Secretary Krishan Kumar and NHM Mission Director Shalini Pandit visited the hospital and interacted with some of the officials regarding availability of services and their quality.

They also discussed the issues related to the medical with the hospital superintendent and other officials.