Koraput gets new medical college after 54 years

KORAPUT (INDIA):Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik has inaugurated Saheed Laxman Nayak Medical College and Hospital (SLNMCH) at Koraput in southern Odisha, about 500km from Bhubaneswar, to improve health care standard of KBK region, considered to be the most underdeveloped area of the state.nnAn it happened after a gap of 54 years. The 100-seat medical college, the state’s fourth government-run institute, will start its academic session from this year.nnOf the three government medical colleges in the state, the one founded last is MKCG Medical College at Berhampur in Ganjam district in 1962.nnThe other two are SCB Medical College at Cuttack set up in 1944 and Veer Surendra Sai Institute of Medical Sciences and Research in Sambalpur district founded in 1959.nnPandit Raghunath Murmu Medical College at Baripada in Mayurbhanj district, scheduled to be inaugurated on Wednesday, would be the fifth such institute run by the state government.nnThe state has some private medical colleges too.nn”It gives me immense pleasure to dedicate this medical college to the people of Odisha,” the chief minister said.nnPatnaik described it as another stepping stone towards his government’s resolve to ensure inclusive, equitable and sustainable development in the state.nn”My government is working earnestly towards promoting healthcare through strengthening of medical education and tertiary care by bringing it closer to community,” he said.nnThe medical college in Koraput has come up on 52 acres of land at an estimated cost of Rs 192 crore. The construction of the medical college was completed within a record two years. Out of the 100 sanctioned seats, 15 seats were reserved for candidates under the all India quota. The remaining 85 seats will be filled up with candidates under the state quota.nnWhile 100 MBBS students have taken admission in the first year, the classes will commence from today coinciding with the Teacher’s Day.nnAltogether 22 professors and 28 assistant professors have been recruited at the institute, named after tribal freedom fighter of the district Sahid Laxman Nayak.nnWith Press Trust of India input