Odisha: Medical College in Koraput district to start admission in 2017-18

Odisha: The only medical college in the tribal district of Koraput is expected to start admission in 2017-18. Currently under construction, the medical college is expected to boost healthcare facilities in the district.

The foundation stone for the attached medical college to the district hospital was laid down by Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik in 2015. The estimated cost of construction is Rs 187 crore, with 75% assistance from the centre. The area for the medical college is 52 acres.

Director, medical education and training (DMET), Pakash Kumar Mohapatra recently visited the district to check the progress of the project and has expressed satisfaction on the work done so far. Under his directions, the work in progression will be expedited to start admission in the next academic session.

"The DMET asked us to increase the bed strength of the district hospital from 180 to 300 and construct additional rooms for professors of the medical college," said CDMO (Koraput) Laxmi Dhar Kabi to TOI.

Dhar further confirmed that a separate floor will be constructed to accommodate professors in the district headquartered hospital.

MCI inspectors are also scheduled to visit the college premise in October-November. In its initial phase, the college will offer MBBS course. Only after a gap of four years, the medical college will likely offer admissions for PG courses also.

The college will start functioning with 100 MBBS seats, said ADMO (Medical) Kali Prasad Behera.

Works department officials implied that two two furnished buildings will be ready in October for admissions to begin for the next academic session.

More than 50% work has been completed. "We are trying to wind up the project in 2017," said Basant Kumar Das, SDO, PWD (Koraput).

Congress MLA from Jeypore Tara Prasad Bahinipati said once completed, the medical college will go a long way in strengthening the healthcare facilities of the area.