The longstanding demand for establishment of a Government medical college and hospital in Baleswar district has received a boost as the State Government has asked the district administration to identify a patch of land, not less than 20 acres within a 10-km radius of the district headquarters, for the purpose and submit a report at the earliest.
District Collector Ranjit Mohanty said, “We have already identified a patch of land at Srikrishnapur and sent a report to the Government. In fact, we have earmarked 22 acres against the minimum requirement. The land has been selected by a committee comprising the Chief District Medical Officer, the Additional District Magistrate, the local Tehsildar and representatives of the National Rural Health Mission. It is not only located within seven km from the headquarters but also most suitable and convenient for all purposes as per the requirement of the Government.”
A local Action Committee has been spearheading agitations in different forms for last nine years demanding a Government medical college and hospital. The committee has been justifying that Baleswar is the most suitable location for a medical college for north Odisha.
The report of the Government identifying land for a medical college has now kindled hope that the agitation will eventually bear fruit.
This issue dominated the last two elections in the district. In fact, Baleswar district is one of the four destinations considered by the Government for establishment of Government medical colleges and hospitals in the State.
The Government has reportedly decided to upgrade the Baleswar District Headquarters Hospital to cater to the need of establishment of a medical college and hospital till permanent infrastructure is created for the purpose.
Action Committee member Hrushikesh Sahu said, “The State Government has considered Baleswar as one among four districts for setting up a medical college and hospital. The other districts are Mayurbhanj, Balangir and Koraput. These hospitals would be established with shares of expenditures of the Central and State Governments at 75 per cent and 25 per cent,
respectively.”
“The existing hospitals in the district headquarters would be upgraded to fulfil the requirements for running a medical college till completion of new setups,” he said.
Earlier on the proposal of the State Government for upgradation of the Baleswar headquarters hospital, the Action Committee had demanded shifting of the Baleswar jail and TB hospital elsewhere in order to provide more space for expansion.
“The demand for shifting of the jail and the hospital has been dropped from our agenda since the Government is mooting an idea to establish a college and hospital in 20 acres of land,” said another Action Committee member Niranjan Parida.