The State Government on Monday appointed 152 dental surgeons in the undivided Kalahandi-Balangir-Koraput (KBK) districts.
Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik handed over the appointment letters to the Bachelor in Dental Surgery (BDS) pass-out students at a seminar on “The role of dentists in the health care services” at the Jayadev Bhawan here. Health and Family Welfare minister Atanu Sabyasachi Nayak said efforts are on to appoint another batch of about 200 BDS students in the coming days. Stating that there had been no appointment of dental surgeons in the State since 2006, Nayak said the newly-appointed dental surgeons, who have recently cleared the BDS, have been posted in remote areas on priority.
The Minister further said that the equipment, which were lacking in dental services, are now available as they are being purchased by the Odisha State Medical Corporation.
Asked about the January 31 deadline given by the Government to look into the demands of the junior doctors of the Veer Surendra Sai Institute of Medical Sciences and Research (VIMSAR), Nayak said the Revenue Divisional Commissioner (RDC), Northern Division had a meeting with the junior doctors. “Most probably, the RDC will initiate steps in the next week. Besides, the department is in touch with the junior doctors to inform them about the steps to be taken to fulfil their demands,” he added.