Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Wednesday announced to develop the SCB Medical College Hospital to an AIIMS plus health institution with all facilities so that no person from the State would ever intend to go outside for treatment for any disease.
“The SCB set up two hundred years ago has served the people of Odisha for many years. It has produced brilliant doctors who have served and continue to serve patients not only in Odisha but across the globe. They are the pride of our State. It is now upon us to give back to this great institution and transform it to a world-class facility,” said the Chief Minister.
He added, “It is my dream that every person in Odisha should have access to high quality, affordable healthcare. It is in this context that the State Government has been investing heavily in the health sector. While are in the process of having more than 10 medical colleges, the SCB has a central place in our vision of providing high quality affordable healthcare.”
Patnaik said the Government would create a state-of-the-art 3,000 bedded integrated hospital equipped with latest medical facilities so that the SCB can be compared with the best in the country. “In fact, our transformational goal should be AIIMS plus,” he said.
The Government would create an ecosystem with the best accommodation and recreational facilities for both doctors and students. It will become such an institution that medical professionals settled outside would aspire to come and serve here, said the Chief Minister.
For development of the SCB, more than Rs 1,000 crore would be spent. No person from Odisha will be forced to go outside the State for medical treatment, he added further.
“The best brains of the State have invested their youth in SCB. I understand that SCB ranks 14th in the country. With your commitment, dedication, hardwork and the full support of the State, I am sure you will make it rank among the top 3,” Patnik told Professors, Heads of Departments and Student representatives.
Odisha has set global benchmarks in many fields. Now it is time that the world recognises Odisha for its affordable, quality healthcare, he said.
Earlier in the day, 5T Secretary VK Pandian had visited the SCB and reviewed the healthcare services.
Pandian had arrived at the hospital around 5 am with Health Secretary Pramod Kumar Meherda and NHM Director Shalini Pandit and took stock of the services for around one and a half hour.
The team held discussions with Dean Jayashree Mohanty, Superintendent Saroj Sahu and departmental heads on various issues of the hospital.