Bhubaneswar: In another significant steps towards qualitative tertiary care for children, State Government has enhanced bed strength of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel Post Graduate Institute of Paediatrics (SVPPGIP), Cuttack popularly known as Shishu Bhawan to 846 for catering to the growing need of children being referred from different districts and neighbouring States.
Health Minister Mukesh Mahaling today sanctioned new 424 beds for the hospital taking the total bed strength to 846.
It may be pertinent here to mention that 422 beds were available in old building of the hospital. With inauguration of new centrally air conditioned 7 storied hospital building by Union Health & Family Welfare Minister Sri J P Nadda and Chief Minister Sri Mohan Charan Majhi and Dr Mahaling on 11 April, 2025, the bed strength has been enhanced to 846.
Corresponding to the increase in bed strength, State Government also sanctioned 59 new faculty and doctor posts in different categories. The new sanctioned posts included 5 posts of Professors, 10 posts of Associate professor, 18 posts of Assistant Professor, 24 posts of Senior residents; and, two posts of medical officers one for Blood Bank and one Drug Store.
Expressing his satisfaction over the new sanctions, Minister Mahaling said, this expansion is largest since inception of the Shishu Bhawan in 1960. This will add to developing SVPPGIP to an advanced and premier paediatric institute in eastern India, he added.
