The Odisha Government on Monday urged the Centre to facilitate setting up of a NIMHANS (National Institute of Mental Health and Neuro Sciences)-like institution in the State.
In a letter to Union Health and Family Welfare Minister Harsh Vardhan, Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik said that in order to upgrade the facilities for mental health and neurosciences in the State, a proposal was submitted to the Centre in August 2012 for establishing a NIMHANS-like institution in Cuttack.
“The proposed institution will be extremely beneficial not only for people of Odisha but also of the entire eastern region,” Patnaik said in his letter, pointing out that the State has identified the required land for such a project in Cuttack.
“We also understand that P Satish Chandra, Director, National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences, after visiting the proposed site and assessing the facilities available with Mental Health Institute, SCB Medical College & Hospital, Cuttack has also informed the Union Government about the feasibility of setting up of such an institute in Odisha,” Patnaik pointed out in the letter to the Union Minister.