BHUBANESWAR: The state government has urged the Centre for setting up of second AIIMS in Odisha for the benefit of Western Odisha people. According to the proposal, the national institution can be established in Sundargarh.
Odisha chief secretary Asit Tripathy in a letter to Union health secretary Rajesh Bhushan said a second AIIMS has been established in Bihar and similar proposal is under consideration in another state. "In view of the healthcare requirements of Odisha, it is proposed that a second AIIMS may be considered for western Odisha in the district of Sundargarh," he added.
Tripathy stated that there is readily available infrastructure for college and hospital in Sundargarh. As a corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiative, the state government has signed one memorandum of understanding (MoU) with national thermal power corporation (NTPC) to establish a medical college and hospital in the district.
Construction of this project has been completed and equipment procurement process is underway. The hospital is designed for 500 beds and the college will be adequate enough to have 100 student strength in MBBS.
"Therefore, this available infrastructure can be utilized for establishment of AIIMS within a short period of time. It will cater to the need of a large number of tribal population in the area and help in providing quality tertiary care in the backward area of western Odisha. The place is easily accessible through road, rail and air (Jharsuguda airport)," said Tripathy in his letter.
Odisha has a fully functional AIIMS at Bhubaneswar. It has emerged as one of the leading AIIMS in the country in terms of medical education and healthcare. The chief secretary urged the Centre to consider the proposal and establishment of a second AIIMS in Odisha at the earliest.
Tripathy had recently conducted a review of the progress of three medical colleges in the state. The medical college at Sundargarh will also admit 100 students per year. He had directed the officials to complete furnishing of the building by December of the current year and move to Medical Council of India (MCI) for necessary permission to commence admission from next academic session.