nJharsuguda MLA Naba Kishore Das has not only been made a Cabinet Minister in the fifth term of the Naveen Patnaik Government but has also been given the important portfolio of Health and Family Welfare.
While 13 districts, including Sambalpur and Sundargarh of western Odisha, could not be represented in the Ministry, Jharsuguda district is fortunate to get a Cabinet Minister with such a portfolio.
Currently when the entire State is facing health problems, it has become a challenge for the new Government to cope with the present health service in Government hospitals. Inspite of all these hurdles, the new Health and Family Welfare Minister Das has expressed his contentment with the new assignment.
Like his Ministry, the political career of Das (57) has been full of challenges. Although Das was initially defeated from Jharsuguda Assembly constituency on Congress ticket in 2004, subsequently he was elected as Jharsuguda MLA on a Congress ticket in 2009 and 2014. In 2019, Das switched over to Biju Janata Dal (BJD) and got elected in 2019 Assembly elections. Das expressed his gratitude to Naveen Patnaik, who recognised his talent as an administrator and rewarded him accordingly.
He added his role is challenging and that he will give his best to this new responsibility given by the BJD supremo.
Das said he has many dreams for Jharsuguda district, which has now been linked with major cities of the country after an airport has come up in the city.
He said he will try his best to establish a Heart Care Unit, Cancer Hospital, and ensure prompt completion of a Pathology Lab. He assured that the shortage of doctors in the district will be removed in the coming days after providing improved health services in the District Headquarters Hospital.
The patients of entire western Odisha including neighbouring Chhatisgarh State now depend upon VSS Medical College and Hospital, Burla. The problems of Burla hospital will be solved in a time bound manner after sending a fact finding team to the hospital soon, Das said.
Das assured to perform his duties with dedication to the best satisfaction of general public and his party’s.