Bhubaneswar: The Odisha government on Monday appointed 151 dental surgeons in the undivided Kalahandi-Balangir-Koraput (KBK) districts.
Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik handed over the appointment letters to the Bachelor in Dental Surgery (BDS) pass-out students at a seminar on “The role of dentists in the health care services” at Jayadev Bhawan here.
“For the first time, a large number of dentists have been appointed in our state. Almost all of them have been posted in remote parts of the state. I hope they would certainly bring in improvement of health care system in these areas,” Patnaik said.
Briefing newsmen after the seminar, Health and Family Welfare minister Atanu Sabyasachi Nayak said efforts are on to appoint another batch of about 200 BDS students in the coming days.
Stating that there had been no appointment of dental surgeons in the state since 2006, Nayak said the newly appointed dental surgeons, who have recently cleared the BDS, have been posted in the KBK region and other remote parts of the state on priority to provide better health care services to the people.
The minister further said that the equipment, which were lacking in dental services, are now available as they are being purchased by the Odisha State Medical Corporation.
Asked about the January 31 deadline given by the state government to look into the demands of the junior doctors of Veer Surendra Sai Institute of Medical Sciences and Research (VIMSAR), Nayak said the Revenue Divisional Commissioner (RDC), Northern Division had a meeting with the junior doctors.
“Most probably, he will initiate steps in the next week. Besides, the department is in touch with the junior doctors to inform them about the steps to be taken to fulfil their demands,” he added.