Odisha to Establish Medical Colleges in Four More Districts: CM Majhi

Bhubaneswar: In a major boost to the state’s healthcare and medical education infrastructure, Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi on Friday announced that the Odisha government will establish new medical colleges in four more districts.

Speaking at the launch event of the Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB-PMJAY) held at Bali Jatra Ground in Cuttack, the Chief Minister said that while the state currently has 12 medical colleges, two more are set to be dedicated to the public soon. Additionally, medical colleges will be set up in Bhadrak, Jagatsinghpur, Dhenkanal, and Nabarangpur districts. Funds for these new institutions have already been allocated in the 2025–26 state budget, he added.

Highlighting the state’s commitment to strengthening the health sector, CM Majhi stated that the government has recruited 4,000 doctors and health staff over the last 10 months. Plans are underway to appoint 5,000 more doctors and dentists in the near future to bridge the gap in healthcare accessibility across the state.

The announcement aligns with the state government’s earlier vision of setting up a medical college in every district over the next five years.

It may be noted that in 2014, the Union Government introduced a new policy framework for establishing medical colleges in each district of the country under a 60:40 cost-sharing model between the Centre and the states, a move designed to expand medical education and improve healthcare access in rural and underserved areas.

The new medical colleges are expected to significantly strengthen Odisha’s healthcare delivery system, especially in remote and underdeveloped regions.