In a significant push to upgrade healthcare infrastructure in Odisha, Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi on Tuesday conducted a comprehensive review of the ambitious redevelopment plans for the state's largest medical institution, the Sriram Chandra Bhanja (SCB) Medical College and Hospital in Cuttack.
Vision for a World-Class Medical Hub
The government has laid out a bold vision to transform SCB Medical College into a world-class institution. This transformation will be driven by a major boost to its physical infrastructure and a significant improvement in patient and student amenities. As the state's premier medical facility, SCB caters to thousands of patients and their attendants every single day, making its modernization a critical public need.
17-Floor Multi-Level Parking: A Solution to Congestion
A central highlight of the review meeting was the detailed proposal for a massive multi-level parking facility aimed at decongesting the perpetually busy hospital zone. According to officials, this parking complex will be developed over a sprawling 6.51 acres and will rise to an impressive 17 floors (G+16).
The structure is designed for multi-purpose use. Parking spaces will be available up to the 12th floor. The upper floors will be utilized to house administrative blocks, anatomy departments, and colleges for B Pharma and D Pharma programs. This integrated facility is planned to serve visitors to both SCB Medical College and the adjacent Acharya Harihar Cancer Care Hospital.
Focus on Student Well-being and Housing
Aligning with the holistic approach of the National Education Policy 2020, Chief Minister Majhi gave specific directives to promote student wellness. He instructed the health department to include facilities for indoor games and a swimming pool within the campus design. The department has been tasked with preparing a detailed project report to incorporate these features.
The meeting also assessed the progress of 13 housing towers currently under construction near the SCB campus. These towers are expected to provide 672 residential units and hostel accommodation for a total of 2,244 students. The CM emphasized the need to expedite this crucial project to address accommodation shortages.
Broader Healthcare Infrastructure Initiatives
The review extended beyond SCB Medical College. For the proposed Panikoili Trauma Care Centre, the Chief Minister suggested exploring the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model. He advised prioritizing central government Public Sector Undertakings (PSUs) with proven hospital management expertise and involving private players where necessary.
Redevelopment plans for two other major government medical colleges – MKCG in Berhampur and VIMSAR in Burla – were also discussed. Furthermore, the construction of dedicated rest houses for patient attendants at government medical colleges in Cuttack, Berhampur, Burla, Sundargarh, Koraput, Baripada, and Balangir was deliberated upon, highlighting a patient-centric approach to infrastructure development.
This series of initiatives underscores the state government's focused commitment to revolutionizing healthcare infrastructure and medical education across Odisha, with the SCB Medical College redevelopment serving as its flagship project.
