Odisha Unveils Major Healthcare Expansion in State Budget
In a significant move to bolster public health infrastructure, Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi announced a comprehensive plan to add 5,000 new indoor patient beds (IPDs) across government hospitals. This initiative, part of the state budget tabled in the assembly on Friday, aims to address hospital congestion and enhance emergency response capabilities.
Key Infrastructure Upgrades
The expansion includes 1,800 beds at SCB Medical College and Hospital in Cuttack, along with 1,000 advanced ICU beds equipped with ventilators and centralised monitoring systems. Additionally, 500 high-dependency units (HDUs) will be established to provide intermediate care for critically ill patients. These facilities will be distributed across medical colleges, district headquarters hospitals, and community health centres (CHCs).
Budget Allocation and Health Spending
The chief minister proposed an outlay of Rs 23,182 crore for health and family welfare, with Rs 17,737 crore earmarked under programme expenditure. Health spending now constitutes over 7.5% of the total state budget, reflecting a strong commitment to improving healthcare access.
Mukhya Mantri Swasthya Seva Mission
Under this mission, Rs 5,008 crore has been allocated for expanding and modernising health infrastructure. This includes redevelopment of major institutions like SCB and Vimsar in Burla, as well as establishing and maintaining sub-divisional hospitals, CHCs, and Ayushman Arogya Mandirs in rural areas. Specific funds include Rs 1,000 crore for SCB redevelopment and Rs 600 crore for MKCG Medical College and Hospital in Berhampur and Vimsar.
Strengthening Critical Care and Human Resources
To support the new infrastructure, the government will sanction specialist doctors, nurses, and technicians. Majhi also announced plans to increase 500 postgraduate medical seats over the next two years and introduce nursing, paramedical, and allied health courses in districts lacking such government facilities.
Ayush and Primary Healthcare Initiatives
For Ayush services, the budget proposes three new ayurvedic medical colleges in Gajapati, Malkangiri, and Rayagada, and two homoeopathy medical colleges in Nayagarh and Nuapada, with an outlay of Rs 140 crore. Primary healthcare will see Rs 176 crore for establishing 1,807 additional sub-centres and Rs 200 crore for dedicated burn units in Puri, Burla, Koraput, Berhampur, and Capital Hospital.
Innovation and Specialised Programs
The government announced the launch of an Odisha Pharma and Biotech Research and Innovation Centre to support oncology research, biologics development, herbal drug standardisation, and medical device innovation. A new scheme, ‘Atala Rakta Dana Abhiyan’, will set up blood banks in all medical colleges, upgrade existing ones, deploy 50 mobile blood collection units, and establish plasma fractionation centres.
Cancer Care Revamp
The Odisha Cancer Care Plan has been revamped as the ‘Mukhya Mantri Cancer Care Abhiyan’, with Rs 311 crore proposed for community awareness, village-level screening, mobile camps, a cancer registry, a digital hub-and-spoke model for early treatment, and free patient transportation services.
Chief Minister Majhi emphasised that this mission will ease hospital congestion, strengthen emergency response, and build a world-class critical care backbone for every citizen in the state.
