Baripada: A major milestone in the healthcare and infrastructure development of northern Odisha was achieved on Monday as Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi inaugurated the new 650-bed teaching hospital of Pandit Raghunath Murmu Medical College and Hospital in Baripada and launched development projects worth over ₹430 crore across Mayurbhanj district.
The Chief Minister dedicated the modern teaching hospital building, constructed at an estimated cost of ₹258 crore, and described it as a transformative healthcare institution that would serve not only Mayurbhanj but the entire northern Odisha region, neighbouring states and tribal-dominated areas.
According to the official statement, a total investment of ₹430.26 crore has been earmarked for strengthening the district’s infrastructure. As part of the programme, foundation stones were laid for 21 projects worth over ₹282 crore, while 18 completed projects worth more than ₹149 crore were inaugurated, taking the total number of development works launched to 39.
Among the major initiatives inaugurated were 83 drinking water projects developed at an investment of nearly ₹100 crore. These projects are expected to address long-standing drinking water challenges and improve access to basic services in several parts of the district.
Highlighting the significance of the new teaching hospital, the Chief Minister said the facility would substantially strengthen healthcare delivery in northern Odisha through advanced diagnostic services, specialist treatment departments, emergency care facilities, critical care units and modern academic infrastructure.
He noted that the expanded bed capacity and specialist healthcare services would reduce the need for patients to travel to distant cities for treatment, thereby easing both financial and logistical burdens on families while ensuring timely access to quality medical care.
Given Mayurbhanj’s large tribal population, Majhi expressed confidence that the institution would play a key role in improving community health, maternal and child healthcare, public health research and health awareness among tribal communities.
Reviewing the state’s healthcare initiatives, the Chief Minister said that under the Ayushman Bharat-Gopabandhu Jana Arogya Yojana, around 1.30 crore families and 3.46 crore people are receiving free quality treatment at empanelled government and private hospitals across the country.
He further stated that three new medical colleges have become operational in Jajpur, Kandhamal and Talcher during the tenure of the present government, while a medical college project in Nabarangpur has already been launched. Medical colleges are also planned for Dhenkanal, Jagatsinghpur and Bhadrak. In addition, the government is working towards establishing Ayurvedic medical colleges in Gajapati, Malkangiri and Rayagada, along with Homoeopathic medical colleges in Nayagarh and Nuapada.
During an interaction with students of the medical college, the Chief Minister described the medical profession as a “sacred calling” dedicated to the protection of human life. He urged future doctors to uphold the values of compassion and service and encouraged them to dedicate themselves to serving poor, marginalised and remote communities after completing their education.
Majhi also paid tribute to tribal icon and social reformer Pandit Raghunath Murmu, after whom the institution is named, and stressed the importance of combining scientific excellence with empathy in medical practice.
Speaking at the event, Forest, Environment and Climate Change Minister Ganesh Ram Singhkhuntia lauded the Chief Minister’s role in accelerating Mayurbhanj’s development, while Health and Family Welfare Minister Mukesh Mahaling said the fully operational 650-bed hospital would significantly strengthen the district’s healthcare infrastructure and reshape the healthcare landscape of northern Odisha.
Among those present were Mayurbhanj MP Naba Charan Majhi, Udala MLA Bhaskar Chandra Mohanty, Baripada MLA Prakash Soren, Sarasakana MLA Bhadav Hansda, Rairangpur MLA Jalen Naik, Bangiriposhi MLA Sanjali Murmu, Karanjia MLA Padmacharan Haiburu, Badasahi MLA Sanatan Bijuli and Special Development Council Chairman Dr. Budhan Murmu. Mayurbhanj Collector Hemkant Say supervised the arrangements for the mega inauguration programme.
