The Odisha government has announced plans to set up nine new medical colleges in a move to strengthen healthcare education and infrastructure across the state. The initiative was revealed by health and family welfare minister Mukesh Mahaling at the Healthcare Summit 2025, hosted by the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII).
The plan includes four MBBS colleges in Jagatsinghpur, Bhadrak, Dhenkanal and Nabarangpur, each with an intake of 100 students. These colleges are expected to help alleviate the shortage of doctors, particularly in underserved districts.
Four new dental colleges will also be established in Burla, Berhampur, Bolangir and Keonjhar, while a new Ayurvedic college will come up in Mayurbhanj district, offering education in traditional medicine systems.
Mahaling announced that two additional medical colleges — located in Phulbani (Kandhamal district) and Talcher (Angul district) — will begin classes in the current academic year, with each accommodating 100 MBBS students.
He credited Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi for their roles in facilitating these developments. “These new institutions will play a key role in narrowing the doctor-patient ratio in Odisha,” Mahaling said.
Over 5,000 new healthcare staff to be hired in 2025
Reflecting on recent efforts, Mahaling noted that the state had recruited over 4,000 doctors and paramedical staff in the past year. Looking ahead, the government intends to hire more than 5,000 additional healthcare professionals in 2025 and aims to fill 1.5 lakh vacant government positions over the next five years.
Public-private partnerships vital to sector growth
Sunil Gupta, chairman of the CII Odisha State Council, underscored the importance of Odisha’s contribution to the country’s expanding healthcare industry. He emphasised the need for strong collaboration between the public and private sectors to build a resilient and future-ready healthcare system.
Source: indiatoday