Bhubaneswar Rises as a Leading Healthcare Hub in Eastern India
Bhubaneswar, officially recognized as the capital of Odisha on April 13, 1948, is experiencing a remarkable transformation into a premier healthcare center for eastern India. This growth is driven by an increasing influx of patients not only from within the state but also from neighboring regions, positioning the city as a key medical destination.
Growing Patient Inflow from Across States
The patient profile at AIIMS-Bhubaneswar highlights this trend, with nearly 30% of its patients hailing from other states, including West Bengal. Similarly, Capital Hospital, one of the oldest government healthcare facilities in Odisha, has seen a surge in out-of-state visitors, especially after the establishment of the PG Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER) on its campus. Currently, Capital Hospital receives approximately 5,000 patients daily, and the government is planning to set up a dedicated burn unit there to enhance its services.
Expansion of Healthcare Infrastructure and Investments
With patient numbers steadily rising, Bhubaneswar is attracting significant interest from leading corporate players in the healthcare sector. This influx is strengthening the city's medical ecosystem through new investments aimed at meeting the growing demand for specialized and tertiary care services. Presently, around 50 major hospitals operate in the capital, offering super-specialty, multispecialty, and advanced healthcare facilities.
Recent developments include:
- A prominent national corporate hospital chain is in the process of acquiring a private hospital based in Bhubaneswar.
- Two years ago, a noted hospital group acquired another private hospital in the city.
- Another well-known hospital group has expressed interest in establishing a facility in Bhubaneswar, as confirmed by an official from the health and family welfare department.
Advancements in Cancer Care and Specialized Services
Bhubaneswar is making significant strides in oncology with the upcoming government-aided Homi Bhabha Cancer Hospital of the Tata Memorial Centre on the NISER campus. This 200-bed hospital, which will include a 12-bed nuclear medicine unit for advanced cancer care, is expected to play a crucial role in enhancing oncology services across eastern India.
Additionally, a medical cyclotron project planned at NISER will produce radioisotopes for PET-CT and other cancer diagnosis machines. This initiative aims to reduce dependency on other cities and attract major healthcare groups to set up hospitals in or around Bhubaneswar, according to a professor at NISER.
Further bolstering cancer care, the Bagchi-Sri Shankara Cancer Centre and Research Institute, launched in 2024, provides state-of-the-art oncology treatments in the city.
Government Initiatives and Future Plans
In the twin city of Cuttack, the redevelopment of SCB Medical College and Hospital into an AIIMS+ facility is underway to cater to future healthcare demands. During the 2026-27 budget, Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi announced ambitious plans for Odisha's healthcare sector, including:
- Adding 5,000 more indoor patient beds.
- Introducing 1,000 advanced ICU beds equipped with ventilators and centralized monitoring.
- Establishing 500 high-dependency units.
- Sanctioning positions for specialist doctors, nurses, and technicians.
For critical care, the state will procure biomedical equipment and add new dialysis units, as highlighted in Majhi's budget speech. Under the Mukhya Mantri Swasthya Seva Mission, the government has earmarked Rs 5,008 crore for expanding and modernizing health infrastructure across Odisha.
These comprehensive efforts underscore Bhubaneswar's rapid evolution into a vital healthcare hub, poised to serve not only Odisha but also the broader eastern region of India with advanced medical services and infrastructure.
