Odisha's healthcare expansion: 30 medical colleges and 5,000 doctor vacancies targeted

Bhubaneswar, Dec 9: The Odisha government has reiterated its commitment to establishing medical colleges in all 30 districts of the state and is taking significant steps to address the shortage of doctors. During a session in the state Assembly, Health and Family Welfare Minister Mukesh Mahaling emphasized the need to fill vacant medical positions alongside the creation of new medical institutions.

In September, Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi announced the initiative to set up a medical college in each district. At the Odisha Medical Service Association (OMSA) annual conference in Balasore, the Chief Minister highlighted the urgency of filling existing doctor vacancies throughout the state.

The Health Minister also informed the Assembly that the government has revised the medical recruitment process, which has received the Chief Minister's approval. Plans are underway to advertise for the recruitment of 5,000 doctors, as well as to initiate the hiring process for 3,000 vacant paramedical staff positions.

Minister Mahaling reaffirmed the government’s pledge to establish medical colleges in every district, with an investment of approximately Rs 250-300 crore for each 100-bed medical college built since 2014. Currently, there are 5,014 doctor positions unfilled in the state, including 1,114 specialist roles, and around 375 community health centers across 30 districts are operating without any doctors.